flwoolybugger Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 I'm a newbie, with an 86 vf500. I've fixed a few small maintenance issues but I'm still learning. The headlight works fine on low-beam, but as soon as I hit the switch to high beam it goes out. I've changed the bulb but that doesn't fix it. I'm thinking to look at the switch next but is there some simple fix that I'm overlooking? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soichiro Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 New bulb didnt help? HUM, are you sure it is installed correctly? Check the fuses. You very well could have a bad switch. A lot of times they can be cleaned at the contacts. There should be two brass contacts and a brass arm inside the switch. If they are dirty or slightly black use some fine sandpaper on the contacts. Also check all the wires and connectors. I do believe the high and low beam have seperate fuses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flwoolybugger Posted October 25, 2009 Author Share Posted October 25, 2009 New bulb didnt help? HUM, are you sure it is installed correctly? Check the fuses. You very well could have a bad switch. A lot of times they can be cleaned at the contacts. There should be two brass contacts and a brass arm inside the switch. If they are dirty or slightly black use some fine sandpaper on the contacts. Also check all the wires and connectors. I do believe the high and low beam have seperate fuses. I checked and there is only one headlight fuse, and its still good. I'll check the contacts (much cheaper and easier than a replacement switch) Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer FotoMoto Posted October 26, 2009 Member Contributer Share Posted October 26, 2009 +1 on a dirty contact. On an old bike, those screws for the headlight switch can be a real bitch to remove without stripping the slots. Penetrating oil won't do much good since they are upside down. The fairing may not give you much room either. If possible, tap each screw a time or two with a proper sized screwdriver and a hammer before attempting to break loose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flwoolybugger Posted December 6, 2009 Author Share Posted December 6, 2009 It was the switch. New switch installed and the high-beam is back in business. When I got the old switch off it looks like the wire going into the switch is frayed and the owner before me had tried to solder it back together. Must have worked for a while but eventually the solder broke loose. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 It was the switch. New switch installed and the high-beam is back in business. When I got the old switch off it looks like the wire going into the switch is frayed and the owner before me had tried to solder it back together. Must have worked for a while but eventually the solder broke loose. Thanks. can anyone tell me where the main light switch is meant to be as i have just got the bike and its missing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flwoolybugger Posted December 10, 2009 Author Share Posted December 10, 2009 The headlight is on all the time. The switch I was talking about is the high-beam switch (it just changes it from low-beam to high-beam). Its on the left handlebar. The one assembly includes the high-beam, the horn and the turn signals. Is that the switch you're asking about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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