|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,475
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,475 |
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?
Faith and love of others knows no mileage nor bounds. That's simply the way it is. dogzapper
After the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box. Italian Proverb
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,409 Likes: 5
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,409 Likes: 5 |
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.
βIn a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.β β George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 12,156
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 12,156 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,745
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,745 |
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.
Camp is where you make it.
|
|
|
|
679 members (10ring1, 1beaver_shooter, 12344mag, 10gaugemag, 160user, 06hunter59, 72 invisible),
2,697
guests, and
1,513
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,192,610
Posts18,492,482
Members73,972
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|
|