Home Forums Gear Horses and ATV's Headlights not working on my 4-wheeler. How to find the problem?

Went to leave the woods the other night and my headlights didn't turn on. 4-wheeler is a 2001 Honda Rancher ES 350.

The light switch turns on the tail light and instrument dash light, so I don't think it's the switch. I checked the fuse box under the seat and all fuses are good.

When I first bought the 4-wheeler (original owner) I installed a third light in front of the dash on a bracket (similar to the Foreman light), and that light is not working either.

I have a digital multimeter but I am not sure how to use it so I can test what I need to test.

Any electrical guys here that can walk me through a diagnosis?

One way is to use a test light and start at the non-working bulbs working backwards to see if voltage is present. Check each connection. Look at the switch to see if the head and tail lights come out of the same wire. They might be separate and the switch is bad. Check the connection for the 3d light. A wire nut or something might have come loose.
By far the biggest problem with automotive lighting is the ground. Run a temporary wire from each bulb to a good ground to see if it comes on. A long wire with alligator clamps on both ends is very handy for this.

Probably is the switch. I have a rancher of that vintage and the lights are acting similarly. I have to cycle the switch several times to get them to come on. I think sitting outside all the time has weathered the switch connections.

I have a 2000 Foreman. Similar issue. First weekend in Nov my son and I were coming out of a logging area and the lights didn't work. I turned on my head lamp to use. I played with the switch a bit and they still didn't come on. I hit a hole and they came on. And have stayed on ever since.