SuzukiSavage.com - Headlight dims/horn doesn't work, can't figure out

MC

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Headlight dims/horn doesn't work, can't figure out
06/01/10 at 18:04:43

Hi all,

I originally put this in the wrong forum and it was suggested to post here.

I've got a 2006 LS650, has 14,000+ miles on. Recently having a problem with the horn not working while at the same time the headlamp dims really low. Have had it in the shop twice and they can't replicate it.

I should say, it's "not the horn" that gets my attention, it's while I'm driving at night that all of a sudden my headlight will dim. It even dims if I put the brights on. During the day, I've gone for my horn and sometimes it doesn't work or I get a croak out of it. If I get a chance to stop soon after, I'll put my hand in front of the headlight to confirm, yup, it's dim or not on at all when the horn doesn't work at all.

At night, when it's dimming, I'll try to horn and then I'll get the croak out of it.

Someone suggested a new horn. But my original post didn't detail the above - that it goes out while riding and not just when I push the horn.

Anyone have the same thing happen and if so, how to fix?

Thanks in advance,
MC

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verslagen1

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Re: Headlight dims/horn doesn't work, can't figure
Reply #1 - 06/01/10 at 18:18:03

You might say I'm thinking out loud...

All the wiring for the controls, headlight and the horn go thru the connectors on either side of the frame. Only the wiring for the signals and headlight go into the headlight shell.

Intermittent problems are hard to chase down, as you know.

problems are most often caused by pinching a wire when installing the tank. also too tight wiring will lead to fatigue failure of the wires.

When you see the dimming light or the weak horn, rip off the tank and check for hot wires. Huh

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Headlight dims/horn doesn't work, can't figure Reply #2 - 06/02/10 at 06:37:28 If you decide to let it run while you study it, make sure you put a good fan in front, blowing on that exhaust & jug.
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Digger

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Re: Headlight dims/horn doesn't work, can't figure
Reply #3 - 06/19/10 at 21:05:46

verslagen1 wrote on 06/01/10 at 18:18:03:

...When you see the dimming light or the weak horn, rip off the tank and check for hot wires. Huh

Ver is talking about wiggling the wires to see if you can find a short.

I made a tool to assist me in doing wiggle checks on the wires that saves me from blowing out lots of fuses during the test.

It is a license plate light fixture and harness I removed from an old pickup truck eighteen years ago when I was putting a rear bumper on it:

I cut off the OEM connector and crimped on some spade connectors to the ends of the two wires:

You can see where I filed down the spade connectors so that they would fit into the holder for the fuse.

I pull the fuse on the suspect circuit, plug my tester leads into the fuse holder, turn on the ignition switch, and wiggle away. If I find a short to ground, the light gets really bright.

IHTH!

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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28890 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Headlight dims/horn doesn't work, can't figure Reply #4 - 06/19/10 at 21:14:45 this is a good idea, but with some risk. you are replacing a fuse with a light bulb. make sure the light has less wattage then the fuse.
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thumperclone Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline PGR rider riding with respect Posts: 6109 Grand Junction Colorado Gender:	Re: Headlight dims/horn doesn't work, can't figure Reply #5 - 06/20/10 at 05:42:33 verslagen1 wrote on 06/19/10 at 21:14:45: this is a good idea, but with some risk. you are replacing a fuse with a light bulb. make sure the light has less wattage then the fuse. 20amp fuse=240 watts @ 12 volt marker light = 5 watts?
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Digger

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Re: Headlight dims/horn doesn't work, can't figure
Reply #6 - 07/06/10 at 19:43:27

verslagen1 wrote on 06/19/10 at 21:14:45:

this is a good idea, but with some risk.
you are replacing a fuse with a light bulb.
make sure the light has less wattage then the fuse.

Actually, the light bulb has so much resistance that, if I plug the tester into the main fuse terminals, the headlight will not come on.

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Digger
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I don't own a cage.
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Re: Headlight dims/horn doesn't work, can't figure
Reply #7 - 07/06/10 at 20:17:25

thumperclone wrote on 06/20/10 at 05:42:33:

verslagen1 wrote on 06/19/10 at 21:14:45:

this is a good idea, but with some risk.
you are replacing a fuse with a light bulb.
make sure the light has less wattage then the fuse.

20amp fuse=240 watts @ 12 volt
marker light = 5 watts?

thumper is right on digger, my mind was engaged backwards at the time.
Kept thinking 5 watts vs. 240... it'll blow up. burp. I need another. Smiley

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