1993 softail custom headlight problem

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Jun 13, 2011 | 01:04 PM

gonepostal

Thread Starter

Stage III

Joined: Feb 2010

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1993 softail custom headlight problem

Hey all,
New at this so please be patient. I have a 1993 softail custom. Problem is with the headlight. Went to change the bulb and it wouldn't work. Check wires for power, both leads showed 12.5 volts. When I put the load on the wires, I showed no power. Connector was good, but changed it just in case. Tried a total of 3 bulbs, no luck. When I tested the new connector with my battery jumper all bulbs worked. Can't be the fuse because I have power. Haven't checked the switch because I'm no good with delicate work. Any ideas.

Thanks,
Andrew

Jun 14, 2011 | 03:37 PM

95yj

Road Captain

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 601

Likes: 6

From: Aruba

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonepostal

The yellow and white wire, low and high beam from your headlight respectively, go directly to the dimmer switch passing through two of the connectors under your gas tank, the middle connector goes to the headlight and the front connector is the side of the circuit that goes to the left handlebar. The circuit is fed from the orange wire on the dimmer which goes from the dimmer back to the front connector. This orange wire splits off from both the front and middle connector and feeds your brake light switches, your turn signal switches andit powers the turn signal module under the gas tank. All of this circuit is fed by the orange wire coming off the 15 amp accessory breaker under your gas tank.

If you have 12VDC but cannot light a good light then you either have a really bad connection somewhere which will give enough current to show voltage on your voltmeter but not enough to burn a headlight or else you are reading voltage being backfed from somewhere which again will not light your headlight.

Last edited by 95yj; Jun 14, 2011 at 03:44 PM.

Jun 16, 2011 | 08:58 PM

gonepostal

Thread Starter

Stage III

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Thanks, will check it out this weekend, but one more question. Which tank is it under? I have the 2 tank gas tank (I forget what it's called)

Jun 17, 2011 | 08:43 AM

Heritageman

6th Gear

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 12

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From: new jersey

Headlight problem

All the wiring connectors for the lights are under the right side tank.

Jun 17, 2011 | 10:08 AM

Jim Kraft

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 2,856

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From: Middle of Kansas

Sounds like a bad ground to me.

Jun 17, 2011 | 12:21 PM

95yj

Road Captain

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 601

Likes: 6

From: Aruba

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonepostal

Thanks, will check it out this weekend, but one more question. Which tank is it under? I have the 2 tank gas tank (I forget what it's called)

On my Softail, same year as yours, the connectors are in the center mounted between the frame members. One half of the plug is on one side of the bike and the other half is on the other with wires going in from both sides. You need to pull both tanks to get at them.