Started the bike and the headlights winked out. Having already done the headlight socket replacement I looked for some other cause, especially since the headlights and marker lights went at once. Research lead to a plug behind the upper right panel. I pulled off the panel(s) and found the plug, checked the lights again, and they worked.
The plug is in this bundle.
Since I couldn't find the problem, I buttoned it up. 2 weeks later, lights out again. I slapped the right panel, lights on. So I rode it to work and back, all in daylight, lights were on when I checked. Next day, lights out again, slap trick didn't work, so problem getting worse, but pressing and holding the panel kept the lights on. Closer inspection of the plug revealed a brown spot, like an electrical arc burn. No. bueno.
Brown spot not good.
The offending wire looked corroded. Maybe a loose connection or maybe water got in. This calls for replacement. For generic electrical stuff, I like to patronize Eastern Beaver. Ordered what looked like the right plug - 2 of everything because I don't always get it right the first time. Also decided to finally invest in that good crimper tool I always wished I had whenever I mashed wires into a connector with pliers or the cheap crimper.
New plug installed
I was careful to write the wire colors on the new plug halves, especially since they are not the same on each side. There is just enough slack in the wire to cut the original ends off, but it's tight quarters to manipulate the nice wire stripper and crimper. In the end, job done and the lights all work. I'll keep an eye on it for a few cycles before I claim success.
The plug is in this bundle.
Since I couldn't find the problem, I buttoned it up. 2 weeks later, lights out again. I slapped the right panel, lights on. So I rode it to work and back, all in daylight, lights were on when I checked. Next day, lights out again, slap trick didn't work, so problem getting worse, but pressing and holding the panel kept the lights on. Closer inspection of the plug revealed a brown spot, like an electrical arc burn. No. bueno.
Brown spot not good.
The offending wire looked corroded. Maybe a loose connection or maybe water got in. This calls for replacement. For generic electrical stuff, I like to patronize Eastern Beaver. Ordered what looked like the right plug - 2 of everything because I don't always get it right the first time. Also decided to finally invest in that good crimper tool I always wished I had whenever I mashed wires into a connector with pliers or the cheap crimper.
New plug installed
I was careful to write the wire colors on the new plug halves, especially since they are not the same on each side. There is just enough slack in the wire to cut the original ends off, but it's tight quarters to manipulate the nice wire stripper and crimper. In the end, job done and the lights all work. I'll keep an eye on it for a few cycles before I claim success.