Head Light blows Fuse

[jkorn]

Original owner of a 79 XS1100 F. Bike runs great but the Headlight is not working. Blown Fuse. With the bike off the lead to the headlight is open. Once you turn over the motor there is more or less a dead short on the lead to the headlight which blows the fuse. There are several modules between the fuse and the headlamp. I believe one is to turn off the headlamp until the motor starts, the other some kind of safety device for low and high beam.

I'm pretty good at wiring diagrams but this one gets a little complex on the headlamp wiring. So wondering if someone else has seen this issue and have been able to resolve it. I'm wondering if one of those modules has gone south. I really need the head light. Jeff

[DiverRay]

Jeff, try Pulling the plug off the headlamp first. Start and see what happens. If it still shorts, connect headlamp and disconnect the left control. try again, and if it still blows it's probably in the harness or the reserve lighting unit. My guess is the left control has a wire that is separated at the solder joint and shorting.

[jkorn]

Hey thanks. First thing I did was disconnect the harness going to my fairing.

Not sure what you mean by LEFT control?? Jeff

[bikerphil]

The headlight switch is what Ray was referring to.

[jkorn]

Left high low switch! Thanks. I’lol disconnect it and se what happens. Jeff

[cajun31]

When fuses immediately blow it points to a direct short some where. Just trace the wires. If you have a multimeter with a tone on it would make it easier to trace.