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Ulysapper
Posted on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 08:30 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

09 Uly XT

So, on my way in to work this morning, my headlight flickers then goes out. I switch to the high beam and then that too flickered and went out.

I pulled over, checked fuses, all OK. "Parking Lights" still work so I finished the ride with just those, which raised the pucker factor a bit.

About 6 months ago, I did the "Both Lights on" mod according to a post here and have had no issues.

I plan on disassembling at lunch today and hope it's only the bulbs burnt out because I'm not too great with electrical issues. I don't have my SM with me.

Any thoughts would be great!
Thanks

**also, what bulbs should I get? I'm gonna head to AutoZone for a quick replacement set if that's the problem.

(Message edited by ulysapper on September 16, 2013)
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Dtaylor
Posted on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 08:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Both beams take an H7 bulb.

Hopefully it's just a fluke, but I'd be checking for a charging issue all the same, starting by reading the volts with the bike running.

(Message edited by dtaylor on September 16, 2013)
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Djohnk
Posted on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 10:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

First of all, good luck on solving your problem Ulysapper.

I'm thinking if you blew two bulbs, one right after the other you might be throwing good money away if you put new bulbs in there (the new ones will probably blow also).

You could check the resistance to ground on the headlights to see if you have bad grounds. If that's OK I bet your voltage regulator is going out. A new VR cured my "headlight bulbs blowing" problem.

Also, it might be a good time to consider upgrading one or both of the headlights to HID if your spending the money on bulbs anyway.
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Froggy
Posted on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 10:30 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I would also be leaning to a voltage regulator issue. If the VR is failing, the voltage can jump from 14 to easily 20+. The bulbs can't handle the load then blow.
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Ulysapper
Posted on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 11:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks all,
Would there be any other symptoms to look for if it is the VR? Everything else seems to be working fine.
...AND, how much of an issue is it to purchase (cost?) and install this? Can I do it myself? Where can I get one?

It's raining now so I'm not gonna get to work on it til I get home...
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Skifastbadly
Posted on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 11:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

http://www.amazon.com/Signal-Dynamics-Heads-Voltag e-Monitor/dp/B00AC5J84M

Or other various dealers. Just search on Signal Dynamics Voltage Monitor.....


As for installation, it's easy. I drilled a hole in my instrument panel and it looks like it's OEM. And when my headlights blew, it was flashing green..indicating overcharging. Ended up being my stator/VR
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Ulysapper
Posted on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 12:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks Ski...
That's something I'll get but in the meantime, need to know how to determine if it is indeed the VR or Stator.

My apologies up front, I don't even know how to use the multimeter LOL
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Skifastbadly
Posted on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 02:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Remove the inspection cover from your transmission and take a whiff. If it smells like burning electronics, it's your stator. And if your stator is fried, probably your VR is as well.
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Fltwistygirl
Posted on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 07:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The first symptom of our failing vr was blown headlights. Hope you get it sorted.
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Ulysapper
Posted on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 - 09:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks to everyone for your input.

I checked the voltage for about 10 minutes with the bike running and it stayed steady around 14. or so. I replaced the bulbs with some low-cost ones and all was fine this morning. Maybe it was a "fluke"??

Gonna get one of those voltage meters to keep an eye on things.
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Natexlh1000
Posted on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 - 10:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Were the burnt out ones "silverstar"?
Those don't like vibes at all and die pretty quick.
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Skifastbadly
Posted on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 - 11:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I find the voltage monitor to be a tremendous source of peace of mind...one less thing to guess about. Recently I had a light go out, and thought, 'oh crap', but the steady green glow of the monitor assured me it was nothing to worry about. Well worth it.
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Tootal
Posted on Saturday, September 21, 2013 - 09:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mine blew the bulbs and was getting 17 volt spikes but I have to rev it up to get it to spike. Ended up being stator/VR.
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Andrejs2112
Posted on Saturday, September 21, 2013 - 07:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mine would blow a headlight bulb every 5 miles or so. It was the VR. I put a new one in and have never had another issue since. EASY fix.
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Ulysapper
Posted on Monday, September 23, 2013 - 11:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well, I blew the lo-beam again this weekend. That bulb WAS a "silverstar" but I went ahead and ordered a new VR from American Sport Bike. The voltage monitor is on the way as well.
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Tootal
Posted on Monday, September 23, 2013 - 05:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Maybe while you wait for a new VR you can order a couple of these. They are H9 bulbs soldered onto a H7 platform. They are heavy duty too. Been running for years now with no problems.

http://store.candlepower.com/osraulhiouh7.html
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Dean
Posted on Monday, September 23, 2013 - 11:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My new ultra silver stars haven't lasted 200 miles - the hi beam only a few hours ... Rode home in front of Debra's headlights tonight ....
Voltage at idle 14.3 yesterday ...
Dean
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Ulykan
Posted on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 - 01:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I encountered this problem too. First my low beam failed; I replaced it; failed again; again I replaced it; failed AGAIN, switched to high beam; FAILED! Called American Sport Bike spoke to Al who said check the voltage, 18.75. Called Al again and he said check all grounds then check voltage again and if voltage is still high replace VR. I've not done any of those yet so this thread is very timely and interesting.
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Ulysapper
Posted on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 - 08:58 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The VRs sold by American Sport Bike are currently back ordered, expect to get mine in about 2 weeks.
I'm using this down time to install some driving lights, something I've wanted to do for awhile. Got some pretty inexpensive ones from Auto Zone. I'll wire these right to the battery and they'll have their own switch.
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Dean
Posted on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 - 10:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Im gonna replace the blown bulbs with some low $$$ eiko & move the horn so it doesn't buzz the windscreen - may even stick a tire weight on the Palmer brackets to help reduce buzz ....
Dean
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Natexlh1000
Posted on Thursday, September 26, 2013 - 08:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

+9000 on the autozone driving lights.
I added a pair to my bike a couple of years ago and it was the best improvement ever.
I hooked mine up to a cute little relay and slaved that to my high beam.
High beam = three bulbs.

I got the relay from here:
http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Elec__Products/R elays/relays.html

(20A micro relay with tab)
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Uly_man
Posted on Saturday, September 28, 2013 - 02:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The fitting of a "Voltage monitor" is more about the protection of the electronic parts of the bike than anything else. High volts will kill those parts in the end if you continue to run the bike. It can even damage the battery as well. It can boil a wet battery dry and on some old Dukes they would explode? I recall a case on a 916 that did this and covered the whole back end in acid.

Not good.
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Ulysapper
Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2013 - 07:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

OK, so I received the voltage monitor today. It's a simple install, question is--
What wires do I connect it to? LOL, only instructions included are to install onto the system you want monitored.

Thanks again
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Froggy
Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2013 - 08:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

There probably are only two wires on the monitor, a red positive, a black negative. I personally recommend splicing into the wiring behind the cigarette outlet on the dashboard. It is easy to access, already fused, and if you really totally butcher it beyond repair, a new outlet is $15 and your main wiring harness is still untouched.
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Desert_bird
Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2013 - 08:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Doesn't the ECM turn aux outlets off when voltage drops below a certain level?
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Froggy
Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2013 - 09:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yes

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=142838&post=2359100#POST2359100
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Desert_bird
Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2013 - 09:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Dope! I just crossed threads in my head. Ulysapper, I thought that you were talking about mounting a voltage monitor, from the ongoing thread on the issue.

Nevemind

(Message edited by Desert_bird on October 01, 2013)
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Bjoneill
Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2013 - 11:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Unbelievably timely. Riding home tonight, first time at night in a long time, noticed both headlights were out. Battery went dead about a week ago, Battery Tender had failed. Won't be able to check it til weekend, but guessing I'll be another VR failure victim.
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Reepicheep
Posted on Wednesday, October 02, 2013 - 08:20 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Or stator. Pop open your primary and sniff.
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Ulysapper
Posted on Wednesday, October 02, 2013 - 10:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Froggy, thanks. I went through the other thread and see what you're saying about the voltage dropping and shutting off the aux outlet.

Desert_bird, I am asking about the voltage monitor and should have read that other thread before posting my question...

In any case, I've got some options and I really appreciate all the feedback!
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