tomzxt

My low beam and third light went out at the same time yesterday when I started the bike. I checked the Headlight fuse and it was good. Even switched it to be sure. Can blowing one light cause the other not to work like in a series circuit? I'm going to check the readings in a bit to see if the R/R is working ok. Hope it's not going bad. I just got back from Daytona and riding down main street heated up the frame pretty good. Might have hurt the R/R.

tomzxt

R/R tested out fine. Tapped the LED that is in the third light socket and it started working again. Replaced it anyway since I have 9 other backups. Tomorrow I'll probably swing by and get a new headlight even though I pretty much only use the high beam anyway.

FLETCH

If the start button does not fully pop back out after starting it will cause the headlight to not come back on-check the button next time try pulling it out-if its the issue you can try disassembling it and cleaning it but sometimes they are just plain worn out.

CrankenFine

Didn't know about that problem. But to prove it, a VOM would indicate whether there's any DC at the terminals to the headlight lamp. If no DC then the stuck button idea is plausible.

Alternatively, the same VOM could be used to measure for resistance across the headlamp terminals if the filaments appear OK visually. If resistance is infinite then the lamp is proven bad no matter what the filaments look like. But it sounds like the the thread owner is pretty sure the lamp is shot...hence the starter button is unlikely.

tomzxt

I'll check the starter button just to be sure. It has lots of spring to it. I don't think that's the cause but always appreciate any suggestions. You never know what little things can throw your machines out of whack.

I'm removing the bulb today to check the filament. Even if it is broken or bad that only tells me what is wrong and not the why. My SH just passed 10k miles this week and has the original headlamp bulb. The most logical suggestion is it's time for a new one. Still trying to figure out if the third light going out is just a coincidence or a hint at something else. Time for the VOM.

saige

+1
have you checked to see if your high beam works or if the filament is broke in the bulb.if everything checks out good,than it could be the starter button.my bike does this from time to time and if i lightly tap it,the light comes back on.
might want to check connections,could be rusted or loose.

tomzxt

The high beam works. That's what I am using for now.

8541Hawk

If the high beam is working, then it's just the filament burned out.

Put a new bulb in (Don't touch the glass part with your bare fingers or it will burn out right away) and you should be fine.

8541Hawk

Oh and to answer you "why" question, the amount of miles really isn't the issue it would be more along the lines of has the R\R ever failed in the past?

Has the bike done most of its miles on rough roads?

Is it the stock bulb? Has it ever been taken out or replaced? If so, I bet they touched the glass...... the oil from your finger destroys an H4 bulb...