Headlight not always turning on

Jacobob · May 3rd, 2018, 08:17 AM

When starting up my bike, the headlight doesn't always turn on. I can always toggle the high beam, but semi-frequently the headlight won't power on.

I can shut off and start the bike back up a few times and eventually the light turns on, but yesterday I had to start it eleven times before the light came on.

Anyone have this issue? Anyone know what the fix is?

EDIT: Made a mistake, posted in the wrong child forum. I have an 2012 EX250J.

Jacobob · May 3rd, 2018, 08:20 AM

When starting up my bike, the headlight doesn't always turn on. I can always toggle the high beam, but semi-frequently the headlight won't power on.

I can shut off and start the bike back up a few times and eventually the light turns on, but yesterday I had to start it eleven times before the light came on.

Anyone have this issue? Anyone know what the fix is?

JohnnyBravo · May 3rd, 2018, 08:36 AM

Check your connections to the headlight... If that's all good pull out the trusty multimeter

DannoXYZ · May 3rd, 2018, 09:02 AM

First test the bulb. Remove it and test low-beam and high-beam filaments independently.

Second, test the bulb-socket. With bike running, measure for +12v on low-beam and +12v on high-beam terminals with high-beam switc ON.

Third, might also be wiring between stator and headlight-relay. Or power between ignition-switch to headlight-relay. It's self-latching arrangement where the headlights only turns on when engine is running. Uses this sequence of events:

1. Headlight-relay OFF
2. starter spins engine
3. engine runs, stator coils outputs power
4. stator coil output turns ON headlight-relay
5. headlight-relay sends power to headlight AND back around to relay's coil (self-energizes)
6. headlight stays on for good now, even if engine stops.
7. headlight-relay OFF when power-feed cut by ignition-switch

Basically check ALL wiring connected to headlight-relay. Measure for ground where there should be ground. Measure for +12v where there should be +12v. Check that there's at least +10v going to headlight-relay's activation-coil when engine's running. Otherwise, wiring to stator may be suspect.

If there is power going to headlight-relay's coil when engine's running, then headlight-relay may be going out.

Can test relay by turning key to ON and manually activating the relay by bridging input-power to relay's coil activating line.

taz · May 3rd, 2018, 11:35 AM

possible its the starter switch needing cleaning, had an older bike doing that once that the terminal connections got dirty and worn that needed cleaned and ended up rigging it to press on the connections harder.

Alex · May 3rd, 2018, 02:30 PM

/merged

May 3rd, 2018, 08:17 AM	#1
Jacobob ninjette.org member Name: Jacob Location: Cleveland Join Date: May 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250r Posts: 11	Headlight not always turning on When starting up my bike, the headlight doesn't always turn on. I can always toggle the high beam, but semi-frequently the headlight won't power on. I can shut off and start the bike back up a few times and eventually the light turns on, but yesterday I had to start it eleven times before the light came on. Anyone have this issue? Anyone know what the fix is? EDIT: Made a mistake, posted in the wrong child forum. I have an 2012 EX250J.

May 3rd, 2018, 08:20 AM	#2
Jacobob ninjette.org member Name: Jacob Location: Cleveland Join Date: May 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250r Posts: 11	Headlight not always turning on When starting up my bike, the headlight doesn't always turn on. I can always toggle the high beam, but semi-frequently the headlight won't power on. I can shut off and start the bike back up a few times and eventually the light turns on, but yesterday I had to start it eleven times before the light came on. Anyone have this issue? Anyone know what the fix is?

May 3rd, 2018, 08:36 AM	#3
JohnnyBravo Certifiable nontundrum Name: Harper Location: NC Milkshake stand Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16	Check your connections to the headlight... If that's all good pull out the trusty multimeter __________________________________________________

May 3rd, 2018, 02:30 PM	#6
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	/merged __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

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May 3rd, 2018, 09:02 AM	#4
DannoXYZ ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: AKA JacRyann Location: Mesa, AZ Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17	First test the bulb. Remove it and test low-beam and high-beam filaments independently. Second, test the bulb-socket. With bike running, measure for +12v on low-beam and +12v on high-beam terminals with high-beam switc ON. Third, might also be wiring between stator and headlight-relay. Or power between ignition-switch to headlight-relay. It's self-latching arrangement where the headlights only turns on when engine is running. Uses this sequence of events: 1. Headlight-relay OFF 2. starter spins engine 3. engine runs, stator coils outputs power 4. stator coil output turns ON headlight-relay 5. headlight-relay sends power to headlight AND back around to relay's coil (self-energizes) 6. headlight stays on for good now, even if engine stops. 7. headlight-relay OFF when power-feed cut by ignition-switch Basically check ALL wiring connected to headlight-relay. Measure for ground where there should be ground. Measure for +12v where there should be +12v. Check that there's at least +10v going to headlight-relay's activation-coil when engine's running. Otherwise, wiring to stator may be suspect. If there is power going to headlight-relay's coil when engine's running, then headlight-relay may be going out. Can test relay by turning key to ON and manually activating the relay by bridging input-power to relay's coil activating line.

May 3rd, 2018, 11:35 AM	#5
taz ???????????????? Name: T Location: no where Join Date: Feb 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250, 14 ninja 300, 09 1125CR Posts: A lot. MOTM - May '17	possible its the starter switch needing cleaning, had an older bike doing that once that the terminal connections got dirty and worn that needed cleaned and ended up rigging it to press on the connections harder.