SuzukiSavage.com - Headlight issue

tritch

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Headlight issue
09/18/12 at 22:11:16

Hello all, just bought my 1986 Savage and I love it, it's a great starter bike. Right now I'm just running through basic maintenance like oil changes and such...However there is one thing that has been a little weird that I haven't been able to figure out. The headlight only runs on high beam, it simply won't turn on with the low beam setting. I'm thinking it's a fuse issue, possibly blown? Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

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rfw2003

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Re: Headlight issue
Reply #1 - 09/18/12 at 22:20:40

Have you used a test light or VOM to check and see if you getting voltage one of the wires of the headlight plug when it's on low beam? The same fuse that supplies the hi beam also supplies the low beam. So your most likely issue is either bad bulb or switch/wire issue.

Another place to check is the connector between the headlight plug and the wire harness in the headlight bucket. Could be a loose or dirty.

R.F.

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1996 Savage, Corbin Seat, K&N filter, Slip Streamer Enterprise II windshield, LED bullet signals, Cat's eye LED tail light Ryca reverse cone long muffler

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Headlight issue Reply #2 - 09/18/12 at 22:20:53 Id bet its the low beam element burned out.
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rfw2003 Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1108 Yantis, TX	Re: Headlight issue Reply #3 - 09/18/12 at 22:23:52 justin_o_guy2 wrote on 09/18/12 at 22:20:53: Id bet its the low beam element burned out. That's my guess as well, but it doesn't hurt to check electrical issue while it's apart with the price of H4 bulbs lately.
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Headlight issue Reply #4 - 09/18/12 at 22:35:52 Test the bulb with an ohm meter
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Gyrobob Serious Thumper Offline Posers ain't motorcyclists Posts: 2571 Newnan, GA Gender:	Re: Headlight issue Reply #5 - 09/19/12 at 06:06:51 Install an HID system. It's a relatively cheap deal ($50 to $70-ish), and you end up with way more light, more reliable light, and less strain on your alternator. The motorcycle kits install in maybe an hour. Your issue about the absent low beam would be a non-issue.
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Pine

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Re: Headlight issue
Reply #6 - 09/19/12 at 07:52:27

Gyrobob wrote on 09/19/12 at 06:06:51:

Install an HID system. It's a relatively cheap deal ($50 to $70-ish), and you end up with way more light, more reliable light, and less strain on your alternator. The motorcycle kits install in maybe an hour. Your issue about the absent low beam would be a non-issue.

Can you post a link to a good HID replacement? Are we just talking about putting in a Sylvania 9007 bulb.. or something else?

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Gyrobob

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Re: Headlight issue
Reply #7 - 09/19/12 at 09:23:32

Pine wrote on 09/19/12 at 07:52:27:

Gyrobob wrote on 09/19/12 at 06:06:51:

Install an HID system. It's a relatively cheap deal ($50 to $70-ish), and you end up with way more light, more reliable light, and less strain on your alternator. The motorcycle kits install in maybe an hour. Your issue about the absent low beam would be a non-issue.

Can you post a link to a good HID replacement? Are we just talking about putting in a Sylvania 9007 bulb.. or something else?

here is one of many links: http://www.motorcyclehidxenonlights.com/

It is more than a bulb replacement. YOu do replace the bulb, which is nothing more than pulling out the H4 and sticking in the HID bulb. The wiring is "plug and play" as well. The only one-time additional thing you have to do is mount the ballast (and sometimes a small relay) within a foot or two of the headlight.

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tritch YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 5	Re: Headlight issue Reply #8 - 09/19/12 at 21:25:58 Thank you all for the help. I was considering an HID system, thank you for the link. I will keep you all posted.
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stewmills

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Re: Headlight issue
Reply #9 - 09/21/12 at 20:33:27

Gyrobob wrote on 09/19/12 at 09:23:32:

here is one of many links: http://www.motorcyclehidxenonlights.com/

Gyrobob, what flavor (strength) bulb is most appropriate for these bikes for visibility, not looks? Their website says the 6000K is the most popular and appears to provide the best "white" light for best visibility versus the fancy blue ones?

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rfw2003 Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1108 Yantis, TX	Re: Headlight issue Reply #10 - 09/21/12 at 20:43:45 Myself I use the 6000K temp bulb. It provides great light and doesn't give off that annoying blue tint that I hate when I meet other drivers on the road that have the higher temp bulbs. R.F.
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stewmills

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Re: Headlight issue
Reply #11 - 09/21/12 at 20:49:17

rfw2003 wrote on 09/21/12 at 20:43:45:

Myself I use the 6000K temp bulb. It provides great light and doesn't give off that annoying blue tint that I hate when I meet other drivers on the road that have the higher temp bulbs.

R.F.

Thanks. Been eyeballing the headlight upgrade to do as soon as I can sneak another shipment into the house.

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