Switch headlight on and bike shuts off

[Buck24]

Pulling my hair out trying to figure out why when I start the bike and I turn the key to turn the headlight on the taillight comes on but not the headlight. Also, the bike shuts off. Trying to trace the wiring but it doesn't match the wiring diagram in the book. I'm reading over the information online here about the change in the wiring colors and it seems to match mine. I ordered a new switch because the mechanic at the Honda shop said it isn't uncommon for those older switches to go bad. Hope that fixes it and hope I have hair left. Anyone have a similar problem or an ideas?

[OldStan]

What model do you have?

CB and CL have three position switches. Off, Ignition, Park (taillight- engine shuts off) with the headlight on/off/taillight only, on the headlight itself.

The CA has a 5 position switch- starter only/off/ignition/headlight/ park.

[G-Man]

Remove the headlamp from the wiring loom and try again. What happens?
Put power (12v) to the removed headlamp. Does it light up?

Measure the voltage at the battery when you turn the headlamp on. With and without the engine running. If you keep disconnecting things you will find the culprit.

Have you checked the wiring in the handlebar switch? Anything shorting or burned wires?

G

[Buck24]

OK. Have to dig into the headlight switch. I have a new one just received and I'll replace it. Some wiring seems to be disconnected in the headlight. The light does work. I applied power to it and it lights. In the wiring somewhere. I'll keep looking . Thanks.

[Buck24]

Found out why the fuse would blow when I turned on the headlight. Someone must have thought you could run a ground to the headlight bucket. Not a good ground so I ran a new wire directly to an engine mount on the frame. Headlight works great now.