High beam doesn't work at all

[isu2014]

Hello,
On my 80 GS250T, the low beam light works fine. When I flip the switch to high beam, the blue light comes on the dash but the headlight goes completely out. No light at all. Every other light works fine, just no high beam. Any ideas what it could be?
There's a switch on the left switch control pod that says "lights" and has an off and on position but I can't get the switch to move at all. I think it's stuck at off but I'm not sure. Could this be my issue?
Thanks for any 2 cents.

[steveb922]

I'm going to start at the simple end of the scale. Have you checked your bulb?

[hjfisk]

I'm going with a bad bulb

[Steve]

I'm going to be different and suggest that you might have a bad bulb.

By the way, it is 'normal' for that switch to not move. It is blocked by a mechanism inside the switch housing.
The Feds required that the headlight be ON for any bike manufactured after January 1, 1979.

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[isu2014]

I checked the bulb but I don't really know what I'm looking for. I couldn't tell that any filaments were broken but I guess the high beam one probably is. It looks like I have to buy a sealed beam assembly and they aren't cheap. But if that's the problem, I'd be happy.

[cowboyup3371]

Find yourself a different lamp and get away from that sealed beam stuff. Using the advanced search feature by typing in sealed beam and selecting titles only, I found these threads that can help you through this:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/search.php?searchid=3067380

[isu2014]

Find yourself a different lamp and get away from that sealed beam stuff. Using the advanced search feature by typing in sealed beam and selecting titles only, I found these threads that can help you through this:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...archid=3067380

Thanks for the tip. I'm definitely going to go this route now. I feel like a silverstar bulb will do wonders on these bikes.

just jumper the the bulb to see if it works, simple enough, one ground and one high and one low spade.

Good idea, I will try that. I haven't removed the bulb yet so I didn't do any testing besides the switch.

[Redman]

The fact that the blue indicator light comes on tell us that the hi-low switch is working.

So, I too would say the bulb itself is a good suspect.

Can try another bulb ..... ... or better yet, check things with a meter to verify that are getting power to the high beam.
You have a multimeter? If not, then can use this as an excuse to get one. Are going to need one at times, you have a 30 year old Suzuki GS.

Here is what else you will need to know:
Yellow wire is for Hi beam.
White wire is for Low beam
Black/WHite is ground.

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[Steve]

Find yourself a different lamp and get away from that sealed beam stuff.

Good idea, but you need to keep in mind that most lights that will get you away from a sealed beam are also going to require different mounting arms for the headlight.

If you look for headlights from "L" models after '80 or '81, they will be the same size as your current light, and have an H4 bulb, which will be far better than your sealed beam.

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[isu2014]

Good news! I don't need a new headlight. The PO replaced the sealed beam, but plugged it in wrong. I plugged it in so all 3 pins are connected (2 before) and now it works perfectly. Now on to the next repair.

[Redman]

............ I plugged it in so all 3 pins are connected (2 before) and now it works perfectly. ........

And in the mean time you have learned a thing or two. Good.

What can we help you with next? Post in appropiate tech section for best repsonces.

SO you got bye this time. At some point you are going to want to have a volt meter (multi meter).

Dave.


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[isu2014]

Yeah I learned that I should investigate the issue more before I go to the internet where no one else can take apart the bike for me. I have a voltmeter for proper diagnosis, but the electrical system is actually 100% on this bike now. I'm glad because electrical issues frustrate me. I dropped electrical engineering for a reason!

Anyway, next is a carb cleaning, megaphones, new seat cover, possible engine teardown over winter months, and other small odds and ends. I have a manual and time so I will probably figure everything out alright. Getting the airbox out of the frame is annoying though.