| Author | Message | ||
     Ulysapper |
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) | ||
| Dtaylor |
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) | ||
| Djohnk |
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. | ||
| Froggy |
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. | ||
| Ulysapper |
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... | ||
| Skifastbadly |
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 | ||
| Ulysapper |
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 | ||
| Skifastbadly |
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. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
The first symptom of our failing vr was blown headlights. Hope you get it sorted. | ||
| Ulysapper |
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. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Were the burnt out ones "silverstar"? Those don't like vibes at all and die pretty quick. | ||
| Skifastbadly |
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. | ||
| Tootal |
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. | ||
| Andrejs2112 |
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. | ||
| Ulysapper |
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. | ||
| Tootal |
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 | ||
| Dean |
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 | ||
| Ulykan |
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. | ||
| Ulysapper |
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. | ||
| Dean |
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 | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
+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) | ||
| Uly_man |
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. | ||
| Ulysapper |
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 | ||
| Froggy |
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. | ||
| Desert_bird |
Doesn't the ECM turn aux outlets off when voltage drops below a certain level? | ||
| Froggy |
Yes http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=142838&post=2359100#POST2359100 | ||
| Desert_bird |
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) | ||
| Bjoneill |
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. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Or stator. Pop open your primary and sniff. | ||
| Ulysapper |
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! |
