No lights, no turn signals -- but the horn works! By horselady (Read 2,593 times)

[horselady]

Hi, just joined this forum yesterday and have learned quite a bit by reading the threads.  I have a 2000 (or 2001?) Alpha Sports Argon 50cc.  Bought it slightly used to ride from barns to arena at large equine events.  I never expected it to last this long so I really didn't take care of it.  It's still running great but about 3 years ago all of the lights stopped working.  Having very limited knowledge, I need help in determining why the lights do not work.  I found only one inline fuse and it was okay.  Suggestions, please!  Would like to spruce it up a bit also but don't know where to start with that.  It has fallen over in horse trailers causing scratching and has fading from sitting in the sun.  Will appreciate comments and help. 

[Bashan]

This will seem off the wall but it's not. Do you kick start it or does the electric start work?

[horselady]

Not off the wall at all -- right now I kick start as my battery is dead, but when I replace the battery, the electric start does work.  I have put 2 new batteries in it over time since the all lights stopped working.  New battery has no effect on lights.  Thanks.  Other ideas?

[jct842]

check the bulbs

[Bashan]

If your electric starter will work you are energizing at least the brake light circuit. The solenoid that engages the starter gets it's juice from the brake light, that's why you have to pull the brake handle in to start the bike. You'll need a charged battery from this point. So turn on the key and see it the tail light comes on. Then pull in the brake and the brake light should be lit. If not then John is correct check the bulbs. If the brake light is coming on, so should your dash and maybe a couple of running lights. Those are all DC off of the battery. If the starter is working, some of the lights should be working. Also the horn and blinkers. If your blinkers come on with the switch but don't flash, it's a bad flasher relay.

Your headlights and many other lights are probably AC off of the yellow stator wire. If they are all out the yellow wire is probably disconnected or the stator is toast. You'll need to test a couple things on the stator. Do you have a multimeter? Also do the brake and tail light check that I outlined above. We have to sort out what's working and not working in your system and get the things off of the table that do work.

[jct842]

One thing I have found a long time ago is if you have ac lighting, should the head light burn out the ac voltage goes up then the other bulbs can burn out then you hit the high beam and it goes out.

[horselady]

Hi, everybody. Sorry I haven't gotten back to update.  I have a maiden mare that was supposed to foal around June 1 and have been staying at the barn at night watching her -- and I'm still waiting! She is waaaay overdue now!!! Anyway, after reading all the suggestions posted as to how to resolve my light problem, I decided to try the easiest fix first. Thank you, jct842, for your suggestion to check the bulbs. Duh! All the bulbs, except one, were burned out. Replaced them, along with a new battery, and now all of the lights work! Thanks so much! I have had 2 friends look at it in the last 5 years, one of whom is into dirt bikes and street bikes, and they didn't think of checking the bulbs, so I don't feel too ignorant. Again, thank you all for your help.