non working lights virago 535

[ptrig]

OK,  I found the fuse box and the headlight fuse is ok, and there is power to it.  I do not have power to the headlights or the speedo illumination.  Any suggestions as to where to look next.  Is there a relay for the headlights in the cover on the right where there are other electrical relays, if so which one is it and how do I check if it has failed?

[ViolinARC]

Try checking for a short in the electrical harness at the steering head as the wiring gets stressed a lot from the turning action (ask me how I know). You can start just by simply turning the wheel back and forth slowly to see if you can reproduce the problem or make some change to the lighting but I'd be willing to bet it's a short.

The electrical systems are faily simple on these machines so your problem is most likely a simple one as well...GL.

[ptrig]

Thanks for the help ,  it makes sense since it is intermittent.  Will check it out tomorrow.  

[ptrig]

Just went out the check it out and as it turns out it is the start switch .  I had this same problem with my virago 250 last summer.  If I move the switch slightly I can cause the lights to flicker on and off.  It took me a while the figure it out last year and it came back to me while I was looking for a short.  I could not duplicate it by moving the wheel but I noticed it happened after I started the bike.  Suddenly I saw the light and remembered.  Hope this helps someone else in the future,  it has happened to 2 different bikes with the same starter switch.  I hope a little electrical contact cleaner does the trick, it did last summer.

[ViolinARC]

Excellent...you know, it would make more sense to replace the failed switch IMHO but congrats on the solution!

[ptrig]

I am planning on it but want a short term fix until it arrives

[ViolinARC]