Headlights (SOLVED!)  By  nalrac (Read 70,480 times)

Adam if you've got 16 volts then money says it's a bad connection or loose wire, the flickering is almost a dead giv-away. Yes it could be the light switch and since your lights aren't working then the charging voltage will be higher.

Now I don't like the "oh let's start buying parts and throwing at it" thing and even if it is a bad switch then looking for or eliminating the "cost nothing" things need to be doen first.

Now another giv-away to this bad connection or wire is the fact that both your tail lights and head lights are off and the dimmer switch has nothing to do with the tail lights as they are tied together and run off of the same circuit as the head/instrument lights.

Now the switch you are talking about is what the Chinese call the passing light and it brightens slightly the head lights when pushed the theory is one will see the brighter light if you are passing.

It feeds directly off of the battery with the key on and when pressed adds a little more voltage to the high beam to brighten so if your headlights are off to a bad wire then it will send voltage high beams.

It's possible that the R/R can charge the battery and the other side go bad that feeds the lights but very unlikely most of the time when a R/R goes bad it's bad period.

Time to get the plastic off and find the plug with the yellow wire that feeds the head/tail/instrument lights, bet you've got a bad wire or connection. When you get it open if you don't see something obvious then start it and then moved some wires around especially at the plug ins and she may tell on herself.

JR

Also, you mentioned that I should , "get the plastic off and find the plug with the yellow wire that feeds the head/tail/instrument lights". Where is this on the scooter on an MC-13-150? Is it behind the plastic where the headlights are mounted?

Thanks!

Thanks, JR!

From my post above (not sure if you saw): Also, you mentioned that I should , "get the plastic off and find the plug with the yellow wire that feeds the head/tail/instrument lights". Where is this on the scooter on an MC-13-150? Is it behind the plastic where the headlights are mounted?

Thanks!

JR,

First...you're amazing. That's a masterpiece Although, for some reason it came through micro-sized in your post so I can't actually read it.

So, here's an update:

Last night I went home and took off the plastic on the right side and checked the connections. I unplugged and replugged every connector there just to be sure of a solid connection. I found the wires and connector leading to the tail lights (the one with the yellow wire) and noticed nothing out of the ordinary. The ground was connected and seemed like in was in perfect shape. I manipulated/squeezed/wiggled the entire bundle of wires that led up the frame to see if I could get a reaction from the light. After than was unsuccessful I took the front plastic off and looked at the connection there. Once again, everything looked like it was in good shape. I wiggled and reset the connections there with no change. I then went to the handle bars and, once again, noticed nothing.

It looks like I'm at a total loss here. How can I test this more conclusively. What's the best way to narrow it down. Can I use a multimeter to test connections? If so, which ones?

Thanks for all your help!

- Adam

PS - The best thing that came out of this adventure was that I found a reason my scoot started running so rough. A hose was disconnected from the carb. Purrs like a kitten again.

Thanks JR! A PDF would certainly be helpful.

I will take you recommendation and test the connectors with the ohm meter. What should the resistance be between the dimmer and tail light?

I also noticed last night that there are smaller bulbs in the headlight assembly that are burning very dimly. I'm not sure if this is relevant at all.

BTW - I took the bulbs out of their holder in the front after removing the plastic so I'm pretty sure there's no short there. However, I haven't removed the tail lights.

Thanks!

- Adam

Is there any chance this could be stator related at all?

Also - the file is still a low res version. Looks like the document is over optimized. The labels aren't legible at all. Otherwise, this looks to be an extremely valuable resource!!

Thanks!

- Adam