RVF Headlight Low Beam problem

[thutchoo]

i have an rvf so i don't think i have a low beam relay? yes I think they are 55 W bulb, i have the switchgear disassembled will have another look tomorrow and report back.

thanks

[speedy231278]

If you've been using 60/55s on an RVF without havig modified the wiring loom with a relay for the low beam, have no low beam, but high beam and passing flash work, then it's 99.99999999% certain that you've destroyed the hi/lo switch. For some reason known only to Honda, the low beam circuit feeds through the hi/lo switch despite the fact that the only thing which actually switches the low beam off is the starter button. I guess it's so the starter button feeds the high and low beam so it means only having to interrupt one supply to turn off the lights when starting the bike. You'll know for sure if you take the hi/lo switch apart. What happens is that the little sprung contacts inside the switch slider end up embedding themselves in the slider due to the extra load meaning the switch overheats and it goes soft. When you switch back to low beam, they get shoved into the slider and are suppsed to spring back out. It is sometimes possible to take the switch apart and dig them out, but it will die again unless you reduce the load by using 60/35s (H4R) or putting a relay between the bulbs and the switch. Be VERY careful when you take the sliding switch apart, the spring is most definitely what another member on hear describes as a 'pingfuckit'.

You might get a 'new' set of switchgear from someone on here or eBay. If all else fails, DSS can get you one from Honda, but the price is massive £140 or thereabouts!

[magg]

DSS has RVF400 switch assembly 35200-MR8-900 at $78 AUS in stock going by his website but if too expensive and your switch is damaged beyond repair, you could try get a new/used same/similar function switch from another model and re-pin the connector to match the RVF loom.

[speedy231278]

Where do you get 78 Aussie Dollars from? It's £112.86 plus VAT (£135.43) when I look! Works out at £50.49 - I'd almost be tempted to buy a spare at that price.

http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/part ... 200MR8900/

[magg]

I did a google search and it gave a link to DSS.

http://www.davidsilverspares.com/RVF400 ... art_19900/.

I agree, that if you go directly to DSS website and type in the P/N you get the price in your post. Don't know why.

[Davez29]

I would take the switch apart, clean it down and re assemble, but be careful of the spring and small parts. If you can re pin it, not hard, you can buy one from a late model 29 or possibly other hondas from 1994ish.. The same switch and wires but different plugs. Ones 3&9 others 6&6 wires..

[speedy231278]

I did a google search and it gave a link to DSS.

http://www.davidsilverspares.com/RVF400 ... art_19900/.

I agree, that if you go directly to DSS website and type in the P/N you get the price in your post. Don't know why.

Looks like it's at their American site.

[Cru Jones]

<snip>...What happens is that the little sprung contacts inside the switch slider end up embedding themselves in the slider due to the extra load meaning the switch overheats and it goes soft. When you switch back to low beam, they get shoved into the slider and are supposed to spring back out. It is sometimes possible to take the switch apart and dig them out<snip/>

Just wanted to thank you for that post. That happened to me after I started running both headlights with HIDs (prior was just running 1 headlight and that headlight had HID) for a couple of weeks. Even thought the HIDs say "35W" I highly doubt it's a stable 35W across the two HID ballasts. I pulled my switch apart and sure enough what you had stated above was the problem. Now, to find some proper 35/35W bulbs.

[magg]

Keep your HID bulbs and fit a relay, going back to 35W bulbs IMHO is not the best solution.

[Cru Jones]

Keep your HID bulbs and fit a relay, going back to 35W bulbs IMHO is not the best solution.

I might in the future. I'll have to find a good source for how to wire one in.