Author Topic: Low beam problems (Read 4306 times)

interfuse · « **on:** September 11, 2005, 12:46:35 AM »

A few nights ago I went to go start my bike and the lowbeams wouldn't turn on. I figured the bulb had burned out (the high beams still were working). I replaced the bulb and the low beams were working okay. I went for a short ride and came home and now the low beam isn't working agin.

I took a look at the old bulb that I though was burned out and it doesn't look like the filament has been comprimised.

Does anyone have any ideas? I'm kind of thinking that I might have a bad connection or wire.

The bulb is one of the two in one deals. 60/55 H4.

Red01 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 11, 2005, 05:52:35 AM »

Do you have another vehicle you can test the light(s) in?
Sometimes they're burned out, but the break in the filament is small enough you can't see it.

Do you do wheelies, or ride down rough roads, or run at high rpm a lot?
These things can cause premature failure of headlight bulbs.

PeteSC · « **Reply #2 on:** September 11, 2005, 07:34:32 AM »

Also an overly high voltage can cause the bulb to burn out quickly......but I'd look at the plug and all contacts, first....

interfuse · « **Reply #3 on:** September 11, 2005, 10:45:36 AM »

Quote from: "Red01"

Sometimes they're burned out, but the break in the filament is small enough you can't see it.

That's good to know.

Quote from: "Red01"

Do you do wheelies, or ride down rough roads, or run at high rpm a lot?These things can cause premature failure of headlight bulbs.

No wheeles, the roads can be a little rough, and I don't really ride at high rpms too often. The second time the bulb died on me I pretty much just idled in traffic for 15 then went home and found the bulb dead.

interfuse · « **Reply #4 on:** September 11, 2005, 10:47:10 AM »

Quote from: "PeteSC"

Also an overly high voltage can cause the bulb to burn out quickly......but I'd look at the plug and all contacts, first....

I'm just about to go to the store and buy a couple of cheap bulbs. Then I'm going to have a go at cleaning the contacts. Thanks, I'll keep you posted.

interfuse · « **Reply #5 on:** September 11, 2005, 05:54:07 PM »

I took out the bulb that I just replaced (bulb number 2) and it was definitely burned out, both high and low beam.

I cleaned all of the contacts inside the headlight bezel and replaced the bulb with bulb number 3. Bulb number 3 worked okay for a bit, then it went out (oddly enough while I was messing with rear brake light switch, but probably coincidental.)

I went for a short ride came home and the bulb was working okay. Seems like I've got some sort of electrical gremlin. Let the fun begin. Next I'm going to take a look at the left hand control and see if the contacts for the high/low beam look crusty.

Are there any other contacts I should check that would affect bulb operation.

Red01 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 11, 2005, 06:10:56 PM »

Trace all the wiring back from the bulb and any connector you run into should be unplugged and checked... but this is sounding more like a short. So, while you're tracing wires back from the bulb, look the wire harness over very carefully - the power wire may have worn thru the insulation and is grounding out somewhere.

Do you have a voltmeter? The other possiblity is your voltage regulator is bad and allowing too much voltage thru the lines and frying bulbs... OTOH, if it's frying bulbs with the key on, but the motor's not running, then that'd rule out the regulator.

interfuse · « **Reply #7 on:** September 12, 2005, 12:31:37 AM »

I've got a new and interesting development.

Bulb number 1 wasn't even burned out. I just hooked it up on a friends bike and presto high and low beam. Which probably means I've got a connection problem somewhere with the low beam power wire. I'm not really sure why bulb 2 burned out (maybe it was defective from the factory? or it got dropped in the store?). Bulb 3 seems to be holding up okay, I'll wait until it quits again and then go through the wiring harness carefully. Hopefully it doesn't quit late at night somewhere far away.

Thanks again for the advice.

Runerx · « **Reply #8 on:** September 13, 2005, 09:30:05 PM »

another possible cause for bulb #2s early demise is if it was touched during installation. Or maybe you just got a defective bulb...

DJ

interfuse · « **Reply #9 on:** September 14, 2005, 12:50:50 AM »

Quote from: "Runerx"

another possible cause for bulb #2s early demise is if it was touched during installation. Or maybe you just got a defective bulb...

DJ

No-touchy. I made sure of that. Right now I've got it narrowed down to a connection problem somewhere. It only shorts when the handlebars are tilted all the way to the left.

PeteSC · « **Reply #10 on:** September 14, 2005, 01:18:41 AM »

Hmm, what about the wiring harness to the high/low beam switch?
Sounds like some harness is pulling....maybe chafed...pinched.
Maybe you've had some body part off recently.....tank, bars...etc....and the some harness was shifted,or one of the tie wraps that hold it in position...
You're getting warmer, at least!

interfuse · « **Reply #11 on:** September 17, 2005, 08:40:43 PM »

I cleaned the contacts again with contact cleaner, and then used dielectric tune-up grease. It seems to be holding out.