No headlight or running lights
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 45
From: Stockbridge GA
No headlight or running lights
Thought Id try here before troubleshooting. Yesterday I installed my new Z bars, internally wired. Took me forever and a day to figure out how to remove the wires from the connectors. Made a diagram before removing wires, all went together smoothly. To double check, the wires I removed from connectors match the other connector wires color for color so Im sure they are in the correct positions. I tried wiggling the wires in the bar to see if anything changed......nothing. EVERY other function works except for running lights (all 4) and headlamp. It was getting late last night and Im waiting for it to get a little warmer in the basement today before I continue troubleshooting so I figured Id ask will Im waiting 
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,115
Likes: 5
From: SoCal
Running lights and headlamp should be unrelated to handlebar wiring, no?
If you don't have a factory repair manual, get one. Wiring diagrams are crucial. Parts manual a good idea too.
That said...any chance you pinched or dislodged the main power lead for the "always on" lights? Meaning the ones that come on with the key...headlamp and running lights. I had a bike once go completely dark on me at a really, really bad time. I got home by engaging the emergency flasher. 12 miles to go on a dark isolated road. Fun. The hot wire that provides power to lighting had gone brittle at the harness and busted off.
Also check for a loose ground, related to lights or not.
If you don't have a factory repair manual, get one. Wiring diagrams are crucial. Parts manual a good idea too.
That said...any chance you pinched or dislodged the main power lead for the "always on" lights? Meaning the ones that come on with the key...headlamp and running lights. I had a bike once go completely dark on me at a really, really bad time. I got home by engaging the emergency flasher. 12 miles to go on a dark isolated road. Fun. The hot wire that provides power to lighting had gone brittle at the harness and busted off.
Also check for a loose ground, related to lights or not.
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 45
From: Stockbridge GA
I do have a manual and have been looking at it this morning. Was hoping it was a fuse but it looks like other things are powered by that fuse so I doubt it. Good thing is I KNOW it was something I did because it worked before I started
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,115
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From: SoCal
Glad you have a manual. No need to draw your own diagrams then...wiring schematics are in the back, no?
If so...find the power lead that goes to headlight and running lights, and also look for their ground connections.
If so...find the power lead that goes to headlight and running lights, and also look for their ground connections.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 45
From: Stockbridge GA
Before I went to bed last night I glanced over the schematics. It looked like the license plate lamp (which was working) was powered by the same fuse as the head/running lamps. My finger must have skipped a line cause thats what it was.......a fuse.........keep it simple stupid
Stage IV
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Paradise Texas
same problem
got an 11 48 and had the same light problem couple days ago. is this gonna be an issue with these or is it just cheap parts. I have already replaced both rear lights and one front from failures now a fuse. Only had it 6 mos and got 5k on it...seems like bs to me to have this kind of **** going on already.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio
hate to revive this thread but I'm having the same issues. No headlights and running lights. All turn signals work. Anyone else had the same problem and how you fixed it? It's late and I just came home from a 12hr shift. TIA
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Stage III
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 3
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From: Airdrie
Same problem
I have the same problem. Realizing its an old post,what was the fix?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,180
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From: South Carolina
Start a new thread, describe the problem, and tell us the model and year bike...
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Apr 24, 2021 at 06:24 PM.
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