headlights come on with accessory switch
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
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headlights come on with accessory switch
Hi!
I have a 93 dyna wide glide. I am installing a stereo. The problem is I would like to be able to turn the key to accessory and play the stereo with the bike off but the lights come on. This seems like a major undertaking frought with problems. I am working at my buddies shop so I need to ride the bike home. Afraid I will mess up the headlights on this one.
The alternative is a toggle switch but that just leaves me drained of power twice a week when I forget to shut it off (for the amp and bluetooth receiver). My ideas are to use some sort of timer or fix the lights to work right.
Any ideas on this one? How ugly might it get to get this to work right?
btw - I had the ignition switch replaced last year. I looked at how the wired it and there are only three wires coming off it so I imagine they couldn't have screwed it up too bad. I don't remember if it was always like this - bought the bike a couple of years ago but I have never used accessory mode.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
I have a 93 dyna wide glide. I am installing a stereo. The problem is I would like to be able to turn the key to accessory and play the stereo with the bike off but the lights come on. This seems like a major undertaking frought with problems. I am working at my buddies shop so I need to ride the bike home. Afraid I will mess up the headlights on this one.
The alternative is a toggle switch but that just leaves me drained of power twice a week when I forget to shut it off (for the amp and bluetooth receiver). My ideas are to use some sort of timer or fix the lights to work right.
Any ideas on this one? How ugly might it get to get this to work right?
btw - I had the ignition switch replaced last year. I looked at how the wired it and there are only three wires coming off it so I imagine they couldn't have screwed it up too bad. I don't remember if it was always like this - bought the bike a couple of years ago but I have never used accessory mode.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
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I like the lighted idea. Knowing me I am not sure that would be enough but it could help. What I would like to do is have it work if the bike is on *OR* the toggle is on. Not sure about wiring that though....''
I don't think it is normal for the lights to be on in acc mode. I asked my friend and his aren't. Cant run an accessory very long with all the lights on...
I don't think it is normal for the lights to be on in acc mode. I asked my friend and his aren't. Cant run an accessory very long with all the lights on...
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
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Don't know if this would work for you but many amps have an auto on/off feature, sensing the audio input and turning themselves on when there is music and off when there is not. Very low power draw when sleeping. These were popular for car add-on amps and powered sub woofers where you didn't want to do much wiring.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
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You would isolate the circuits with a couple diodes, or you could get a three position switch (to select something like off, ign, acc). These can be had with indicator lights that illuminate when any power is applied.
Last edited by ColdCase; Jul 13, 2009 at 12:53 PM.
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Tourer
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My buddy came up with a good temporary plan - no toggle - stereo only works when the bike is on. When I have time and/or money I can work on rewiring the head/tail lights. So it will not work with the bike off but at least I will not run the battery down. Gotta make this idiot proof and I am the rider...
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 478
Likes: 13
Don't know if this would work for you but many amps have an auto on/off feature, sensing the audio input and turning themselves on when there is music and off when there is not. Very low power draw when sleeping. These were popular for car add-on amps and powered sub woofers where you didn't want to do much wiring.
This would work but I am also putting a bluetooth receiver so I don't have to wire to the mp3 player - I need power for that...
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Tourer
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Not sure how the diodes work. Can you explain a little more? Three position switch has possibilities...
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
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You would make the connections something like what's shown in this image (If this worked). Someone here may have a more cleaver idea, but these parts should be available at a Radio Shack. I'll take a closer look overnight. Your lights should not be on in the ACC position. Perhaps a problem in the headlight relay or its wiring.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
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You would make the connections something like what's shown in this image (If this worked). Someone here may have a more cleaver idea, but these parts should be available at a Radio Shack. I'll take a closer look overnight. Your lights should not be on in the ACC position. Perhaps a problem in the headlight relay or its wiring.
Thanks for you post. I think fixing the headlights is the best solution. I don't know a lot about how they are wired. That will make it tough - its easier if you know what it is supposed to look like when figuring out what is wrong. Is it possible there is something wrong with the ignitions switch?
I think with my limited time I will simply hook it up to a hot wire, then fix the lights properly at a later date. Then I will use the correct acc position to run the stereo without the bike running. That is really what I want. Nothings easy!