Electrical-lights hi & lo not working

sirmixalot

Bike: Vstrom 1000 DL 2014

Had another thread going about jumping this bike of a car last month. Blew fuses etc. Had not noticed I had no lights since then (never drove in the dark but did have side spots)

Problem now is 2 bulbs not working, hi and low

Replaced both and checked fuses in the main fuse box, 15amp fuses are fine, bulbs are fine, every other electrical part of the bike works fine.

strange how the parking light works though no bother.

Any other fuses or possible problems anyone has come across similar? Thanks,

mgbgt1978

First place I would check on the Strom is the multi-connector blocks close to the L/H Fork. Usually covered with a black flexible plastic shroud. Pull back the shroud and pull apart all connectors.

Check if any of the connection points are corroded, or even just a different colour than the others. If so, then try either cleaning them or just do what I did and run a new piece of cable from either side of the connector.

sirmixalot

Thanks @mgbgt1978 the L/H fork you mention, that the left hand side you're referring to? Cheers,

mgbgt1978

Yep. I have a 2012 650 Strom, but I'm pretty sure the loom is very similar. Have a look at this thread;

https://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic%2C16630.0.html

You will probably have to register on the forum to view any pictures

sirmixalot

hi ya @mgbgt1978 Have not been able to get access to the site yet, still pending so will have a proper look once it's approved.

Just wondering about that connector block, is that this big black one? There looks to be two of them on the left hand side of the bike by the side fairing.

It looks like I'd probably have to start removing panels to get into this part of the bike. Or maybe I could go in form underneath.

there's a few smaller white connectors closer to the frame of the bike too.

mgbgt1978

This is where most of the connections from front to rear are on mine. It's more or less behind the "S" on the Tank side-panel. The headlight wires are all in there and are a small bit thicker than most of the other wires. All you can do is take apart any multi-connectors and look for corroded connections. Unfortunately there are a few more connectors that require tank and airbox removal to access them.....

Is the Blue Main Beam light coming on ? I'm guessing it's not, which does point towards the main feed to the headlights being the issue.

You could also try the Starter Switch. It cuts out the lights when starting the bike and can sometimes (rare enough on the V Strom) corrode a bit causing the same issue. You can take it off and spray some electrical cleaner (Halfords have it), or even just some WD40, into it.

Try v-strom.co.uk and stromtrooper.com . Both should let you sign up within a minute or two and both have loads of people with similar issues to yourself.

sirmixalot

Update 😀

It was the starter switch! Rang a mechanic for a quote to diagnose and he said first try pushing the switch in and out rapidly 5-10 times. Anyway all good now. 😁 Will still need to clean the witch out properly though!

"Believe it or not, dirty contacts in the Start button can do it too. Power to the headlight is routed through a second set of contacts in the Start button that turn the headlight off while the starter motor is operating so that the battery's full power is available for starting and headlight problems caused by those contacts becoming dirty is pretty common" cx500forum.com/threads/can-the-ignition-switch-cause-problems-with-the-headlight.103643/

mgbgt1978

Good job I mentioned it 😅.

Seeing as it definitely is the Switch use Electrical Cleaner Spray 1st and then either WD40 or get some ACF-50 to properly waterproof it

galwaytt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118531325#Comment_118531325

actually, a lot of Honda's have a similar problem with their starter switch. Everythng from CB to CBR and anythin in-between. There's a tiny microswitch (sealed, naturally... ), which breaks headlight power whilst starter button is engaged.

You put key, lights come on, starter button works fine, lights go off, bike starts, and then............lights don't come back on again. If you flick the button back towards you and lights come on, you know what's wrong. Can be bypassed easily if you need to.