Headlight troubles

Hi fellow (backyard)mechanics,

I'm in the proces of replacing the halogen bulbs on my 2006 VFR 800 VTEC for LED bulbs. No problems so far.
But after the swap my normal lights and/or high beam doesn't work. Still no real problem. What I really struggle to understand is that when I pull the "overtake" switch the lights do work, normal beam and high beam alike.
What do I have to do to make the lights work without having to pull the "overtake" switch?
I have already checked all wiring and there are no loose or brolen connections between the blue and blue/white wires from the light switch on the handlebar all the way up to the relais behind the dash. Also switched the two relais to rule out a defective one. Also cleaned the switch and checked those connections.
Can anyone please help. I want to take her out for a ride again but cannot do that without lights. I'm kind of becoming desperate now...
Thanks for all your ideas/replies!
Daniël

 

Provided the incandescent bulbs you replaced were working, it should be easier for the bike to illuminate the LED bulbs as they draw significantly less current. I would pull the LED bulbs and test them by hooking them to the battery to with test leads to insure they are good. If they light, then the problem is likely with the bike. I would check the polarity of the wires going to the bulbs. With Halogens it does not matter which side is ground and which is positive. They will work either way. LED bulbs, on the other and are polarity sensitive. Also check to insure you have both positives and the ground at each plug with your volt meter. It could be that on is missing and the overtake switch gets power from a different source.

 

Make sure your "START" button isn't sticking and not returning out all the way.

They can get stuck in no-man's-land where the starter isn't engaging but the headlights have been cut.

EDIT: With a "Overtake" button, this might not be a US model? If so, my suggestion is probably not relevant.

Good luck.

 

those switches often stick like a weak return spring usually takes new owners a few years to figure that out. could be disassembled and cleaned.

wiring diagram shows headlight power going thru starter switch connections.

 

I put LEDS in my 09; our local bikes are fitted with H4 low beams and H7 high beams; I have a sneaky suspicion that other models have H7s all round. I had no issue with my H4s but the H7s had to be fitted the right way round to get the polarity right. If your lights were fine before LEDs, then I would be pulling them out and try rolling them over so the polarity changes.