electric problem

[61FLHPan]

This might sound stupid but this is what i have when i turn the key switch with the bike not running the head light wont come on but when i start the bike turn the light on the light come I have one of them after market switches could that be the problem

[john HD]

a little additional info may help.

2 brush genny or 3?

12 or 6 volt?

what are you running for a regulator/cutout relay?

stock wires?

some possiblilities are wrong switch for the application 5 or 6 terminals, or the backing plate in the switch is installed backwards.


john

[61FLHPan]

I am running 12 volt5 gen I rewire the bike over the winter I am also running macancal regulator it a 5 prog switch i wire the bike according to the harley manual Thank You

[Hog54]

I have to play with my switch all the time to get the light to come on.Its the cheap aftermarket switches.This is my third one that does it.And if I turn the light on while driving,the bike cuts off for a second.They just dont get good contact or something.

[john HD]

double check your switch and make sure the fiber plate on the back is not installed backwards. the number and direction of the terminals should match the factory diagram.

i have never had much luck with the import switches. oem is expensive, but rebuildable and more reliable.

some light grease on the contacts helps too.

john

[awander]

On my '64, I found that I had to actually reverse the contact plate so it would work like stock(with the "correct-position" terminals doing what the manual said they should)

[61FLHPan]

I am going to check the back of the switch to day thanks for the help