High Beam Indicator Always On

[Clint21]

So I noticed this afternoon that my high beams indicator is always on.  So I flipped the switch a few times and noticed that the top bulb in my headlight has gone out also.  Are these two issues correlated or a coincidence?  Like, does the high beam indicator stay on if this bulb is out to let the rider know it is out? 

Any insight would be much appreciated before I embark on the replacement of the headlight (thinking of going LEDs).

Thanks in advance,

Clint

[Janx101]

errr... dont think it should or does light up as a warning... i would say there is a dodgy wiring connection in there somewhere... couple strands wire sticking out and touching something they shouldnt..

and top bulb .. you mean 'parking' light? .... the little fingertip sized one? ... or you mean one of the filaments in the main bulb?

and i also assume you have an E headlight... 7" round ... since the F has parking light in the bottom bit... come to think of it i 'thought' the E had it in the bottom also... but have never looked at one.. 

[adidasguy]

I'd say you have a wiring issue. The high beam indicator is in parallel with the high beam. Seems like some wires got farkled up.
Get out the wiring diagram and check the wires.

[fetor56]

To me if the high beam indicator is constantly on & u have NOT selected high beam then something is wrong with the electrical system.
For example:you have an on/off headlight switch & it is set to off(the high beam indicator will stay on)

[sledge]

Change the bulb and see what happens. When it went pop the high and low beam filiments might have shorted internally.

[adidasguy]

Unplug the bulb. If high beam indicator works correctly, then the bulb is blown and shorted.

[Clint21]

Thank y'all for all the quick replies guys.   

Janx it's actually an F model, 2005 more specifically. Sorry, shoulda mentioned in original post.

A short of the filament seems likely since I rode it earlier that day and the indicator was fine.  Hopefully thats it.  I'll remove the bulb tonight after work and see if that fixes the indicator issues.

Thanks again everyone

[Bleineke]

Can anyone tell me what type of light bulb goes in the 09 gs500f it's not the bigger main bulb it's the little bulb that goes below  the main light . When I bought my bike if did not have a light there .

[adidasguy]

The little running light is a plain old T-10 lamp.
Use a 5-12 watt one or put in a wedge base T-10 size LED.

[Snake2715]

I mention this as it seems its still not commonly known.
Install with a clean glove, paper towel, etc.

Oil residue from skin will cause the new bulb to burn out quicker.

I install with paper towel then wipe with rubbing alcohol afterward.

just an FYI to save you frustration later if you didnt know.

[Clint21]

Took the bulb out and the indicator works fine    now i need a new bulb    ...

Thanks for all the help.  Special thanks to sledge and adidas.

Got another thread going about experimenting with LEDs fyi since i now need a new bulb.

[Leadberry]

I mention this as it seems its still not commonly known.
Install with a clean glove, paper towel, etc.

Oil residue from skin will cause the new bulb to burn out quicker.

I install with paper towel then wipe with rubbing alcohol afterward.

just an FYI to save you frustration later if you didnt know.

FYI, oils from human skin do not make halogen bulbs burn out quicker--they make them explode.  Halogen bulbs are made out of quartz crystal and filled with halogen gas to an extremely high pressure.  If any oils get on the quartz housing, they get extremely hot and weaken the crystal, creating an explosion hazard.  Handling bulbs with gloves is not a matter of longevity, it's a matter of safety.