Headlight and clock lights slow to come on after starting.

BlueBoxer · Post by **BlueBoxer** » Tue Nov 27, 2012 10:36 pm

It's not all the time, but when it happens it's a worry. I only notice at night, but sometimes when I start the bike, the engine is running, but I'm in darkness

A few blips of the throttle, and the lights come on....
Engine turns over and starts normally, so I think the battery is OK.

Any ideas as to what is causing this

If I leave it will I be left in darkness one day

Steve

nab 301 · Post by **nab 301** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 8:29 pm

Is it a permanently wired headlight ? , If so does the head light always come on when you switch on the ignition. ( before starting) But not always reappear after starting in which case i'm guessing it's the ignition switch... assumimg the wiring is ok .. I would investigate sooner rather than later.

BlueBoxer · Post by **BlueBoxer** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 9:33 pm

when I turn the key, the lights come on. When I press the starter, the lights go off whilst the starter is turning. Usually the lights come back on the second the starter button is released. Sometimes I'm sat there with the engine running in darkness, then after a blip or two on the throttle, the lights come back on. I've a HID if that makes any difference, but as the clock lights go off too, I'm not considering the HID at the moment.

So what makes the lights go off when the starter is pressed, and turn back on when the starter is released. Is it a relay? Could this be faulty?

Steve

dave the german · Post by **dave the german** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 1:35 pm

can't remember which way round it works - if lights go dim when trying to start it's battery if they don't, it points to starter (or vice versa) but there again as they go out and they are HID could be something completely different - so really I'm no help at all - I'll get me coat. Someone with loads of knowledge will be along shortly

Neil178 · Post by **Neil178** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 2:45 pm

Could well be a relay ............. it rings a bell from a thread over on Pelican. No time to search for it at the moment myself.
Maybe it's a bit loose and the blipping shakes it remaking the electrical contact.

BlueBoxer · Post by **BlueBoxer** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:06 pm

This morning was very cold, -8 or so on my thermometer. No lights, slow turn over before she fired up, and 30 seconds or so before the lights came on. After work, fast turn over, and lights straight away. I wonder if the battery is starting to fail, and something needs a good 12 volts before the lights will power up. Or the cold is getting to a relay. As the clocks don't light up till the headlamp starts, I don't think its the hid, unless the hid starter is causing the voltage drop.

Any ideas where to look?

Steve

oyster · Post by **oyster** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:20 pm

Sounds like weak battery to me. If it is a lead/acid, five plus years old, likely culprit. Could also be bad earths; worth giving them all a polish with emery paper and greasing.

timbox2 · Post by **timbox2** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 9:03 pm

Could be battery, but load relief relay problems also cause this, basically the relay cuts power to the headlights, instrument panel lights and some other circuits when the starter button is pressed, maybe the contacts are sticking a bit once the starter button is released. From memory I think the load relief relay is in the box behind the R/H fairing, just dont ask me which one.

PS: Just remembered how I worked out mine was on the blink, also it helps in identifying the correct relay.Id love to say it was all my idea, but think it was the Darren at Motorworks who gave me the idea.
You need to do this when the bike is nice and cold so the problem will be present.

1. remove fairing and relay box cover.
2. start bike, but dont rev it.
3. gently tap the top of each relay with a screwdriver handle or similar.
4. Hopefully as you tap the correct relay lights will come on, TADA!

BlueBoxer · Post by **BlueBoxer** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 9:42 pm

Timbox2,

Thanks for the pointer. I'll have to try this sometime next week. I have my 12 month old Grandson with me this weekend, so I'll have little bike time. I'll let you know how I get on.

Steve

Bikerhoss · Post by **Bikerhoss** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 9:49 pm

BlueBoxer wrote:Timbox2,
I have my 12 month old Grandson with me this weekend,
Steve

Perfect sized arms/hands to get behind the fairing without dismantling, just don't give him too big a hammer

tanneman · Post by **tanneman** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 11:32 pm

Sounds right what timbox says. On the cold mornings you should have a slower cranking if the battery is few years old. While the fairing is off you can just as well check the battery terminals. It is known that they vibrate loose. Don't miss the opportunity to fit a fly lead for the Optimate if you haven't got one. The HID will take a few seconds to charge the ballasts the first time round so expect a delay but the instrument lights should be on.

Dai wiskers · Post by **Dai wiskers** » Fri Nov 30, 2012 6:23 am

The lights are ment to go out when you press the starter the relay bypasses them so all the power can go to the starter and ignition
it sounds like the relay is sticking untill the vibration free's it up
Do what timbox said replace the sticky relay and all should be good
on these cold mornings it will turn over slower as the oil is thicker when cold
hope this helps Dai