Headlight and gauge lights?!

[AustinPhoenix]

So I noticed the other day that my lights weren't on after my bike started up. My tach was normal, speedo worked, other lights (blinker, oil, neutral, etc) all worked except headlight and gauge lights. They came on after a few minutes and stayed on.

I checked all of my connections and they were all good, but after looking through EVERY connection, things can get over looked.

Is there anything particular that I should look at? I know it's something electrical and stupid and simple. I just don't know where to focus.

[oldyam80sg]

Do you still have the stock fuse block?If so i would highly recommend getting the ones that allow you to use the blade type fuses.Much more modern.Sooner or later the clips on the old one will break.Also you said the connections were good but did you actually pull them apart to check for corrosion?

[mro]

They came on after a few minutes and stayed on.

Sounds like corrosion on your connectors and/or fuse block.
Head light:
Check fuse, then blub and connectors.
No go, then remove seat/tank and check head light relay.


mro
Sometimes can tap on relay with a screw driver handle and it will work, but if it does it still may be on it's way out.

[AustinPhoenix]

connectors

The first time it happend was at about 7pm right before dinner. Then we went out and took her car.

It was 1am in a parking lot and that's when she wouldn't light the way home...

I had the side covers off, seat, fuse block, panel that holds the fuse block off, tank, headlight, .... It was awesome.

I replaced the fuse for the headlamp with a spare. Does that fuse (second or third one...can't remember right now...from the left) would that control the gauge lights too?

Which relay is the one for the headlamp? The one under the seat above the battery?

I pulled apart EVERY connector under the tank and on the bike. Blew really hard on both sides of each one, securely fastened it back on, and moved along to the next. Wish I had my voltage meter....would have made it a lot faster.

Even after checking them all, bike stripped down, I started her up (have fuel filters so I could still watch my fuel level), and wiggled EVERYTHING to see if she would light....nothing.

Put her together, asked her really nicely to work and stop being like my ex, started riding in the parking lot and started approaching the road....told her if I go down, she's going down with me....then she lit up. I think she needed some convincing.

But I'll check the connections and blow them out with compressed air. Check the fuse block. Relay under the seat?

[oldyam80sg]

Relay should be located under the tank-it is on my 80 SG.Right where the support for the frame is,usually covered in a rubber housing.Blowing on the connectors with air is no substitute for a thorough cleaning.After you clean the connectors,put some dielectric grease on them to prevent corrosion from getting in.I spent alot of time chasing why my lights wouldn't work.I went through every connector and took off the wiring harness multiple times before i could get things going again.And the worst time to find out you have no lights is at night.

[XSPastor]

I think you should clean the connections with more than just air. Use contact cleaner and follow up with dielectric grease. Other folks swear by electrically conductive greases. To each his own. I'm just not convinced that compressed air will get rid of 30 years of crud and corrosion. They need a good scrub.

[Fddlefoot]

RELAY

Mine did exact same thing and it was Headlight relay also found out that the 80sg relay is not the same as the sf so make sure right one> Got mine at salvage yard. Also there is way to bypass and check realy do search on forum for it my memory is lousy and is dinner time

[mro]

Took a relay out of a F and put it in a SF. The F relay was larger but still fit with a little pushing and works just fine so far.


mro

[AustinPhoenix]

Cleaning

Ok ok ok...geez...next time I'm stuck at 1am I'll bring a brush and some dielectric grease for my connections. lol

Thanks guys!