| Author |
Message |
    
Boca_g
| | Posted on Sunday, November 01, 2009 - 10:13 pm: | 
|
2007 XB12S
I have taken the bike to the shop, they checked the charging system, and put some type of computer on it and dove her around to try and duplicate the problem. In the end, they charged me $275 to tell me that the middle bulb was loose and it was letting air in and blowing the bulbs because they are super sensative. Well I took her home and within a few days blew a light. I called and they told me it could be from something else and not related to the same problem.. Gave me a bunch of dance and bull instead of committing to it being something they need to fix and not charge me for.
Anyway, I replaced the light and everything was fine for a few weeks. Tonight I took her out for a spin and within minutes both the low and high beam blew. There was a quick flash before the low blew, then I switched it to the High and it just blew instantly.
I will not go back to my Local dealership here in Melbourne, I will never set foot in that shop ever again. Not even if they would work on my bike for free. So I have turned to you for help. Im leaning to the regulator, but would like to hear from those here before I start throwing good money after bad..
Thanks in advance..
Also, my neutral light will not work when the bike is hot. They supposedly fixed this as well. It works when cold, but will not light up after the bike has been running.. this is not really a huge issue, I dont need a light to tell or help me find neutral..
Boca |
Sparky
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 02:12 am: |
|
In the dealer's defense, at least they tried to fix it; an intermittent electrical problem can be an elusive thing to determine the root cause unless it fails hard. Then again it might be a mechanical problem like vibration killing the bulb filaments.
But you might check the battery cable connections to make sure they are clean and tight so as to rule out a possible loose connection there.
It's kind of a stretch but the problem could be related to a bad battery that exhibits momentary open circuit conditions in which it does not act as a storage device and allows spikes of higher than normal voltages which are burning out the bulbs. On the other hand higher than normal voltages are usually symptoms of a failing voltage regulator.
1) What headlight bulbs are you using?
2) How is the tail light bulb holding up? It would seem strange that it's burning out headlights and not tail lights too.
3) Is the bike stock or have you done any wiring modifications? |
Boca_g
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 08:27 am: |
|
I have added led signals, but the bulbs started blowing before that addition. The tail light has not blown, only the front headlights. As for the bulbs, I have replaced them with stock and sylvania bulbs, blows regardless of the type.
I will check the connections when I'm home from work. The dealer did say the battery was weak, but not so much so that it needed to be replaced at that time. How much does a regulator cost, and is it easy to switch out.
I understand electrical issues are a bitch, but I left her with three things to fix, and after paying the bill, two out of three were still not fixed, that is unacceptable , and the attitude sealed the coffin.
Thanks for your help. |
Akbuell
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 09:36 am: |
|
Try doing a very careful check of the ground wires and connectors from the headlight system to the chassis. A loose/bad ground can cause a huge amp spike, which will blow bulbs. And don't assume that the wire connector is really attached to the wire that goes into it, check and confirm. Hope this helps, Dave |
Sportyeric
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 08:57 pm: |
|
I was going through headlights at an alarming rate on my Sportster and finally had a mechanic suggest a separate ground wire from the triple tree to the frame. Problem solved. I imagine that the Buells already have a ground wire there but yours may be bad. Can't hurt to double up. |
Boca_g
| | Posted on Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 10:34 am: |
|
Checked all the grounds and connections. Am now having the voltage regulator replaced. Hopefully that solves it. |
Boca_g
| | Posted on Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 05:14 am: |
|
The tech would not let me replace my VR, said it was fine and he did not want to waste my money and his time switching it out. They finally called the factory and found that the subframe grounds needed to be removed sanded and re-installed. That did the trick so far. You would think that a tech memo would have been sent to the dealers??? And just maybe it would be considered a recall type fix. I'm certain I did nothing to exasperate the issue. I think I will write Harley a nice long letter. |
Kalali
| | Posted on Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 10:53 am: |
|
"I think I will write Harley a nice long letter."
Yup, you do that...but make sure your return address is legible... |
Boca_g
| | Posted on Monday, November 30, 2009 - 06:19 pm: |
|
spoke too soon.. seems ive blown yet another Headlight.. back to the shop she goes.. |
Boca_g
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 08, 2009 - 04:15 pm: |
|
they put a new voltage regulator in it per the factory.. the new ones come with the plug on it.. the old ones did not.. they said there was an issue with the old style.. again.. why is this not a recall issue.. why did I have to pay for something that is a factory problem, and not something I created.. |
|
Troubleshooting (Poor Starting/Running/Handling/Ride Issues) »
Archive through December 21, 2009 »
Blowing headlights