head light switch

[royst1100]

ok you techs new problem. head light didn't work this morning for work at 4 am. toggle hi/low switch and nothing but the parker light. toggle switch to hi beam and press passer switch and hi beam comes on. have pulled switch block apart and cleaned with degreaser and electric contact cleaner but no real success. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Biggles]

Shot relay?
They're behind the left middle panel, and in a tight cluster.  Not convenient at all!

[alans1100]

Check that start switch releases all the way. If the switch/contacts gets dirty then it may stick half way. easy to check,

The switch contacts are designed so that as you press the start switch the headlights go off at the half way point so that there is less strain on the battery during start up. When you release the switch the lights come back on. You may not even notice the lights go off and on while you start.

http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/starter.html

Honda motorcycles have the headlight run through the contacts on the start switch so that when the button is pressed, the headlight goes out in order to supply full current to the starter.

[Williamson]

Check that start switch releases all the way. If the switch/contacts gets dirty then it may stick half way. easy to check,

The switch contacts are designed so that as you press the start switch the headlights go off at the half way point so that there is less strain on the battery during start up. When you release the switch the lights come back on. You may not even notice the lights go off and on while you start.

http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/starter.html

Honda motorcycles have the headlight run through the contacts on the start switch so that when the button is pressed, the headlight goes out in order to supply full current to the starter.

Mmmm, that happened to me with the CB1300.  A bit of WD40, worked the starter switch a few times, problem solved.
 

[Biggles]

Mmmm, that happened to me with the CB1300.  A bit of WD40, worked the starter switch a few times, problem solved.
 

Yep- been there, had that happen.  Was anxious the starter had been running the whole time, but apparently not.
Had to pull starter switch "off" with fingernail until I could access WD40.

[Williamson]

Mmmm, that happened to me with the CB1300.  A bit of WD40, worked the starter switch a few times, problem solved.
 

Yep- been there, had that happen.  Was anxious the starter had been running the whole time, but apparently not.
Had to pull starter switch "off" with fingernail until I could access WD40.

Same here.

It happened to me when Max, the RWC tester, was checking the CB for the RWC.  I thought Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!!!

Max said pull the starter switch back, headlight okay, he brings the WD40 out, I spray, work switch, problem solved at not cost.

Max probably could've done the same and charged me 50 bux, but he's not like that, thanks Max.

 

That's why I go to him.

[Yorkie]

Check that start switch releases all the way. If the switch/contacts gets dirty then it may stick half way. easy to check,

The switch contacts are designed so that as you press the start switch the headlights go off at the half way point so that there is less strain on the battery during start up. When you release the switch the lights come back on. You may not even notice the lights go off and on while you start.

http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/starter.html

Honda motorcycles have the headlight run through the contacts on the start switch so that when the button is pressed, the headlight goes out in order to supply full current to the starter.

Sorry Alan, I have scoured all wiring diagrams and manuals I can find and am unable to find any headlight connection through the starter switch.
I believe the headlight relay momentarily drops out when starter is pushed because of sudden volt drop, I know this is the case with mine.

[alans1100]

Check that start switch releases all the way. If the switch/contacts gets dirty then it may stick half way. easy to check,

The switch contacts are designed so that as you press the start switch the headlights go off at the half way point so that there is less strain on the battery during start up. When you release the switch the lights come back on. You may not even notice the lights go off and on while you start.

http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/starter.html

Honda motorcycles have the headlight run through the contacts on the start switch so that when the button is pressed, the headlight goes out in order to supply full current to the starter.

Sorry Alan, I have scoured all wiring diagrams and manuals I can find and am unable to find any headlight connection through the starter switch.
I believe the headlight relay momentarily drops out when starter is pushed because of sudden volt drop, I know this is the case with mine.

Then you should look more closely at the wiring for the starter switch shown in the picture. The red arrow points to "Engine Stop, Starter-Light Switch"

[Yorkie]

All models except "U", (Australia), have a headlight switch.

[royst1100]

finally got it fixed. after pulling switch block apart, cleaning  pushing pulling      and more      then i found the fuse was the problem. now before you      the fuse was not blown but was starting to melt and gave a restricted electric flow as power was there.  . the electrics on this 1990 is starting to fail badly. more investigating to solve problem though. thanks for the advise as it was looking like some of the suggestions you guys gave       

[alans1100]

All models except "U", (Australia), have a headlight switch.

It's not a headlight switch but a function of the starter switch on our models.  When you press the starter, at the mid point both light and starter circuits are open (lights go off), Press the switch all the way and engine starts. Release the switch and the process reverses.

That's how it works on mine.

[Yorkie]

I removed plug leads and hit the starter, headlight went out briefly and came back on whilst starter was still pressed, I think the volt drop caused by initial engaging of the starter motor causes headlight relay to drop out and then re-energise.