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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: kryptek49 on July 07, 2018, 09:34:24 AM

Title: "Pass" light not working
Post by: kryptek49 on July 07, 2018, 09:34:24 AM
Hi all, small issue on my 08 GS500F (UK if it makes any difference)

So the pass light doesn't work, i believe it is meant to flash the full beam headlights but when i click it nothing happens.

I've used a multi meter to work out the following:
Dipped beam only, 12v across top and lower left pin
Full beam via main switch, 12 v across left & right pins
Pass switch, 12v across top, left and right pins.

So my understanding of this says that the pass light needs to cut power to the dipped beam but doesn't do so? Has anyone experienced this previously or am I missing something here?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
Title: Re: "Pass" light not working
Post by: user11235813 on July 07, 2018, 07:27:26 PM
I'd advise not to bother with the 'pass' light anyway. If you really think you need it why not just flash the high beam on and off quickly which is easy to do as it's a large rocker.

However, I fail to see the need to flash anyone for this reason. It does not seem to be a safe way to drive. If you cannot set yourself up for a pass correctly such that you are overly concentrating on or relying on extra signaling then I fear you need to go back to the drawing board on how to ride a bike safely.
Title: Re: "Pass" light not working
Post by: TGTwin on July 07, 2018, 07:32:39 PM
I can't help with why your flasher doesn't work, but I can confirm that it doesn't cut power to the low beam, it just makes both the low beam and high beam come on.
Title: Re: "Pass" light not working
Post by: Kookas on July 08, 2018, 04:41:20 AM
Quote from: user11235813 on July 07, 2018, 07:27:26 PM
I'd advise not to bother with the 'pass' light anyway. If you really think you need it why not just flash the high beam on and off quickly which is easy to do as it's a large rocker.

However, I fail to see the need to flash anyone for this reason. It does not seem to be a safe way to drive. If you cannot set yourself up for a pass correctly such that you are overly concentrating on or relying on extra signaling then I fear you need to go back to the drawing board on how to ride a bike safely.

The name is a bit silly, I agree - who would ever want to give someone a dose of high-beam in their mirrors right as they're passing?

However, I've used it in the past to e.g. flash someone to offer them out of a junction/to cross a road/etc.

Also as a warning to others on the road that there may be a hazard up ahead.
Title: Re: "Pass" light not working
Post by: kryptek49 on July 08, 2018, 05:40:42 AM
Quote from: user11235813 on July 07, 2018, 07:27:26 PM
I'd advise not to bother with the 'pass' light anyway.

I have never needed to use it once since I've been riding, however I would like everything on my bike to function correctly which is why I'm asking.

There are a couple of uses for it but I agree with you that it is mostly irrelevant.
Title: Re: "Pass" light not working
Post by: kryptek49 on July 08, 2018, 05:42:21 AM
Quote from: TGTwin on July 07, 2018, 07:32:39 PM
I can't help with why your flasher doesn't work, but I can confirm that it doesn't cut power to the low beam, it just makes both the low beam and high beam come on.

Thanks for the info - appreciate it!
Title: Re: "Pass" light not working
Post by: mr72 on July 08, 2018, 06:17:31 AM
FWIW in the USA we don't have any "Pass" light AFAIK but they teach us in the MSF to always run the high beam all the time in daylight. I guess in the dark "flash-to-pass" might work. However in the USA, flashing your high beams like this is actually interpreted as a sign that there's a police officer running a speed trap ahead.
Title: Re: "Pass" light not working
Post by: J_Walker on July 08, 2018, 09:11:21 AM
Quote from: mr72 on July 08, 2018, 06:17:31 AM
FWIW in the USA we don't have any "Pass" light AFAIK but they teach us in the MSF to always run the high beam all the time in daylight. I guess in the dark "flash-to-pass" might work. However in the USA, flashing your high beams like this is actually interpreted as a sign that there's a police officer running a speed trap ahead.

Cool among cars, but down here the "tap on top of helmet" from one cyclist to another is the cop ahead sign.
Title: Re: "Pass" light not working
Post by: TGTwin on July 08, 2018, 02:32:50 PM
The best use I have for my pass light is to open my garage door. I've wired a garage remote to it in a way that the remote won't activate if either the low or high beams are on, but will activate if both beams are on ( ie. Pass light is pressed).
It's a lot nicer than fumbling in my pocket with gloves on getting the garage remote, and nothing looks different at all on the bike.