Triumphrat

PtboSprintSt · 03-17-2007

Hi,
I've got 02 Sprint. Towards the end of laast riding season I noticed that one headlight wasn't working on low beam. When it was in for servicing at a Triumph dealer they said that was normal. Later both lights worked for a few weeks and then returned to just one on low.

Guys on her suggested that to make bikes more compliant with North American standards that there was some sort of connection or silinoid that turns the bike from one headlight unit on lows to both units, and that I should check to make sure this connection wasn't loose or rusting out.

Can anyway give me an idea of exactly where this thing is located and what it looks like? Is it a ***** to get at?

Thanks

rs_tt · 03-18-2007

More likely a relay, not a sillynoid....but try the simple stuff first like change the bulbs from side to side to see the bulb is burnt out on the low beam .I`ve seen that happen.
my 2.2 cents

PtboSprintSt · 03-18-2007

Hi,
It may be a relay. I know it's not a burnt bulb because I asked the shop to check the bulb and replace it and they said it was fine. I'm sure someone knows what I'm talking about because a few guys had a similar problem. It's the realy, or whatever, that was put in North American sold bikes because in Britain the standard operation is to just have one of the headlights on when in low beam mode, but in North America wanted both headlights on. If someone who knows what I'm talking about can just give me direction as to where this relay, or whatever it is I'm thinking of, is on the bike please let me know.

smegin · 03-18-2007

PbtoSprintST

The Sprint is designed so that it can have both dipped headlights on or just one. Depending on the country regulations Triumph either install all 4 relays for both headlights or just 3 relays for one headlight. In the USA the regulations require both headlights, here in Aussie only one dipped is required by law, do not not know what Triumph can get away with in the Old Country. Most of us in Aussie fit the 4th relay to give better lights when the current bun goes down, it also means we have a better chance of being seen by the OTHER road users.

The relays are mounted all together inside the right hand fairing, you can see them but replacing them requires touch and feel especially if the rubber mount comes off the bracket. The series of photographs below will give you a good indication where they are mounted.

Now to your problem, the relay MUST be a diode protected type otherwise it could drain your battery or burn out. If your headlight bulb is ok, then I guess they fitted the wrong type of relay (no diode) the last time you got the shop to look at it.

The white one is the one I fitted to get both lights to on. Triumph will charge you a arm and leg if you get them to fit it for.

steventhechef · 03-18-2007

It was the first mod that I did to my RS. The single headlight was *****. The relay was fitted by my dealer for $35 all up.

Excellent night sight now.

Worth the $ and effort. IMO

Mine are under the seat.

smegin · 03-18-2007

Steventhe chef

Not that I am a tight arse but it cost me A$3.95 for the relay from Autobarn, fitting free by me and I know it has been done right.

PtboSprintSt · 03-18-2007

Hi,
Thanks for the great pics. I took my fairing off and could see that it is a Hella, made in Spain relay. The bike was exported and sold in Canada, so I suspect it's original. I took it out and didn't see any sign of rust. There's still lithium or some white grease on the metal prongs. It didn't seem loose, but i made sure it was a tight fit when I put it back in.

I'm charging my battery so I can test to see if that did it or the one tear light is still OFF when on low beams. I'm hoping I don't have some strange electrical issue. Last fall my bike died on me during a ride and I ended up having a new stator installed. It was several weeks before that I noticed that the right (if looking at the bike from the front) light was not on when in low beam, only high. It was when the bike was in the shop getting the stator fixed that I asked about the light, but they told me because it was european it was suppose to be like that! A few weeks after the repair job I noticed one day that both lights were on in low beam. That lasted a few weeks and then it went back to the one light and it was the end of the riding season anyway.

Given that the relay didn't appear loose or in bad condition when I just took it out now, would it be possible that there's something wrong with it that would let it work for a while, give out, and then work again? Any chance that if it is a relay problem it could cause problems with my battery?

steventhechef · 03-20-2007

Quote:

On 2007-03-18 07:24, smegin wrote:
Steventhe chef
Not that I am a tight arse but it cost me A$3.95 for the relay from Autobarn, fitting free by me and I know it has been done right.

Thanks smegin, I am the tightest when it comes to money. When it comes to electrics I am an eejiot and more worried that I'll fry something than saving $.

That reminds of the time I set my Mini alight when adding some spotlights!! EEEEEE FIRE!!!

A good man knows his limitations. Mine don't extend to electrics. LOL :-D :-D :-D

DaveM · 03-20-2007

steventhechef,
ditto what you said. I am the same electricity is a mystery to me. :???:

I had the dual relay fitted before I picked mine up when I bought it.

Good post and pix smegin :gpst:

DaveM

smegin · 03-20-2007

PtboSprintST

Assuming that all 4 relays are installed, the problem could be either a fried relay (burnt out) or the low beam element of the headlight blub has blown.

If it were me, I would replace the headlight bulb first and try the lights, if that don't fix it replace the relay (remember diode protected, any good auto electrician should be able to get you the right relay)

All else fails, for you guys who live in an electrical world but don't understand something you can't see, you could always take it to your friendly expensive Triumph dealer.

I'm a lowly mechanical engineer who is just interested in how things work, self educated when it comes to electrics.