I have a 2016 HD TriGlide. I was out riding with some friends and was informed my headlights were out ? I stopped and checked that they would go on when I turned the ignition switch. I was also told the lights seemed to be dim at times.
Again I stopped and checked things out and they seemed to be working fine. I usually ride with my high beams on and all the other functions of lights seemed to be working fine.

Does anybody have any idea of what is causing the headlights to go on & off and sometimes appear to be dim ?

Thanks Reno

 

Just a guess, but the LED headlight can look like it's NOT on, especially if it's aimed low, on bright sunny days. Also if you're running with the High beam on, then your spot lights will be off unless the dealer set them up to be on all the time. JMO


EDIT: Did the High Beam indicator light stay on? If you were running the Low Beam & the Spot Lights, did the spot light indicator stay on? I don't think the indicators would work if there wasn't any power going to the headlight.
I also wonder if the bike would throw a DTC if the headlight wasn't getting any power.


EDIT: Here's DTC codes that might show if the headlight was not working (Open) or drawing too much current (Overloaded)


B2131 High beam output open
B2132 High beam output shorted high
B2133 High beam output shorted low
B2134 High beam output overloaded
B2136 Low beam output open
B2137 Low beam output shorted high
B2138 Low beam output shorted low
B2139 Low beam output overloaded

 

Shine your light on a wall. Then jump up and down, pound on the switch housing, pound on the fairing, pound on the headlight. If it doesn't change in brightness...cal,it good. For good measure, pull the headlight, disconnect and reconnect the connector a bunch of times, to clean the contacts. Then put electrical contact lube on the contacts, and put it back together.

Edit: oh yeah, did you recently change out the bars, or do any wiring changes, or work inside the fairing..land possibly mess something up?

 

Thank you Brothers for your replies. I will try your suggestions and do some further experimenting and testing . I was riding with the high beams on with the spotlights activated ..... FYI

Reno

 

If you don't find anything wrong choose a different friend to take a ride out with, to get a second opinion! Modern hi-tech lights can do funny things, just consider what some cars look like with their fancy LED and/or HID lights.

 

TY Under Advisement !