Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech In Dire Need of Help!!!: Triumph Lightbar

I broke down and purchased the Triumph lightbar. I followed intructions...and it doesn't work. I began the troubleshooting process.

I checked all the fuses. 12 volts is getting to the relay. There are no shorts in the wiring. 12 volts is not getting through the relay (when supposedly active). If I jumper the 12 volts, the lights will turn on.

Going across the solenoid terminals (spelling), with the key off, yields 0 volts. Turning the key on yields 130 millivolts (roughly).

Does it sound like a bad relay? Could it be something else? Where else should I be looking?

I'd hate to take the whole thing back to the dealer...although you'd think it would work for ~$300.

I open to any and all suggestions.

Thanks!

Are you sure you have the relay wired in correctly? It does sound like the relay is the weak link...

Yeah...it's a pre-wired harness that comes with the Triumph lightbar. There's a plug that connects to an "accessory" plug sitting under the frame. Then a relay recepticle that holds the relay. Then the other end of the wire harness goes to the lights.

I buzzed everything out. No opens or shorts. Looks like 130 millivolts is getting to the relay, but I don't know if this is what's needed to energize it (to allow the 12 volts thru).

Could either be the relay, or the switch controlling the relay on the low amp side of things.

Check the wiring inside the lights.
Mine worked intermitantly and the connections in the lights were, to be polite, a bit crap!

When I installed my Triumph light bar, the console lighting fuse (5A, Fuse #8) blew. The terminals on the switch in the left bulb housing came in contact with ground. I didn't like the way the switch was positioned when I installed it. I should have followed through on my first instinct. Well I found the blown fuse, rotated the switch and all's well.

Here's the URL to my uploaded schematic (jpg). Please note, all wire colors need to be verified, 5A fuse #, and relay pin #s. Next time I take off the tank I'll verify all.

light bar schematic

Note, you should also get 12VDC on the brown wire at the light bar switch when the ignition sw is on. When the light bar switch is switched on, the red wire delivers the 12VDC to the relay coil energizing it (provided you have a good ground).

jay

By the way relays are like 5 bucks at radio shack if you want to try a swap.

Damn, Jay...I owe you a big, icy-cold beer.

Relay good...5 amp fuse blown.

Thanks, bro, I owe you one. Next time I'm visiting family in Orlando, I'll bring you some of Connecticut's finest...well, I'll bring you good stuff from elsewhere.

Thanks again!

You shoulda seen the pile of little red fuses I acumulated when I was having signal wiring problems...

Brad,
Glad I could help. I've updated the schematic and posted it. The light bar is made well enough. But I don't like where they chose to put the switch. Very inconvenient. I may move it one day. The switch needs to be positioned in the shell to eliminate any possiblity of the switched 12VDC contacting ground. Plus, the holes in the shell are too darn close to the mount. It just seems like there's too much bend in the harness, plus I'm afraid the wires could get pinched.



I will say though, what a difference at night. The bar lights the road up 'crazy bright'!

Take care

jay

Helps with keeping motorist from running you over during the day as well