UK Buell Enthusiasts Group
https://ukbeg.com/forum/

2008 Uly Low beam lightbulb issues
https://ukbeg.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=15813		 Page 1 of 3
Author:  marshy [ 02 Nov 2012 10:14 ]
Post subject:  2008 Uly Low beam lightbulb issues
Hi All,
The low beam lightbulb on my 2008 Uly keeps blowing within a few days of being replaced. My last attempt was a Halfords heavy duty lightbulb, thinking that it may have been the vibration that is causing it but that went this morning again. Is this a common problem with these bikes and if so is there an alternative option that is a lot more robust?

Any suggestions/solutions welcomed

Marshy
Author:  pash [ 02 Nov 2012 10:18 ]
Post subject:  Re: 2008 Uly Low beam lightbulb issues
Not had this problem on mine. What sort of voltage are you getting at the bulb? Could be a sign of regulator failure.

I hope you took the bulb back to Halfords for a replacement.
Author:  gunter [ 02 Nov 2012 10:27 ]
Post subject:  Re: 2008 Uly Low beam lightbulb issues
I agree with pash. It might be worth checking vehicle voltage while riding. It seems to me, that when there's something wrong with stator/regulator/connector 46/connector 77, the vehicle voltage is rising to very high values.
Author:  marshy [ 02 Nov 2012 12:58 ]
Post subject:  Re: 2008 Uly Low beam lightbulb issues
Thanks guys

Gunter, when you say check the voltage while riding would you suggest that I strap a multimeter to the handlebars and monitor the voltage at the low beam connectors? Also when you say connector 46 and 77, what exactly do you mean by that?

One thing I have noticed is that the bike often 'smells' hot (if that means anything). The other thing that happens is the engine management light comes on every now and then for a few minutes and then goes off. When I check the error light sequences I get some historic codes (stuff that I have already replaced such as side stand switch, AIT sensor and battery) but nothing new.

Paint on the regulator has pretty much peeled off now due to corrosion. Is there a way that I can test the stator and regulator as well?
Author:  pash [ 02 Nov 2012 13:15 ]
Post subject:  Re: 2008 Uly Low beam lightbulb issues
The 'battery' fault code may be current if the regulator is broken.

A good test of the regulator is to measure the voltage at the bulb, you shouldn't need to ride, output is a function of engine speed rather than vehicle speed. A failed stator is likely to result in a lower voltage rather than higher. Tis the regulator that drops from a hundred or so volts to 12, any failure of a diode or step down voltage device may lead to a higher voltage.
Author:  marshy [ 02 Nov 2012 14:18 ]
Post subject:  Re: 2008 Uly Low beam lightbulb issues
Ok cool.

Will measure the voltage as soon as I get a chance and post the results.
Author:  barney [ 02 Nov 2012 15:06 ]
Post subject:  Re: 2008 Uly Low beam lightbulb issues
I have used one of these in the aux socket ,left hand side of instrument cluster and keep it in the tool kit on bike to check things when I remember :old:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Volt ... 3f1d5106cb
Author:  Adam [ 02 Nov 2012 16:29 ]
Post subject:  Re: 2008 Uly Low beam lightbulb issues
barney wrote:
I have used one of these in the aux socket ,left hand side of instrument cluster and keep it in the tool kit on bike to check things when I remember :old:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Volt ... 3f1d5106cb



That's a neat bit of kit - I've just bought one :yup:

My daughters car (laid up while she's at Uni) refuses to start unless the battery is fully charged, after standing a while there's enough grunt to crank the motor but not fire the plugs :?
Author:  barney [ 02 Nov 2012 19:39 ]
Post subject:  Re: 2008 Uly Low beam lightbulb issues
kinda reminds me of the old mini days , wind over and over , some times as you release the key it fires
Balast resistor wire on coil :idea:
modern electronic ignition, sometimes needs a decent cranking speed to induce enought current in the pick up to then signal the coil to fire :idea:
you could always park it down hill and bump start it
Author:  mundoxan [ 02 Nov 2012 20:30 ]
Post subject:  Re: 2008 Uly Low beam lightbulb issues
I have some friends that have the same problem and was due to broken mass wires behind the ... (sorry don't know the word in english :oooops: )

I put a photo, if anyone could explain it better....

http://imageshack.us/a/img440/149/img0304bm6.jpg
Author:  marshy [ 04 Nov 2012 19:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: 2008 Uly Low beam lightbulb issues
Okay so heres the latest ...

Replaced the bulb and took her for a ride and all ok. Then parked her for couple of hours, when I started her up from cold and got a couple of hundred yards down the road the low beam popped so switched to the high beam and that popped too within a few seconds. Checked the voltage and I get a consistent 15v DC (maybe a little less) at the lamp terminals whether I rev her or not. Tried tapping the regulator to see if that made a difference but it didn't.

I'm too scared to replace the bulbs because they will just go again and cost me more money. Any ideas and has anyone else experienced this scenario?
Author:  kevmean [ 04 Nov 2012 19:22 ]
Post subject:  Re: 2008 Uly Low beam lightbulb issues
Sounds like it' the R/R that's at fault causing an overvoltage ;)
Author:  marshy [ 04 Nov 2012 19:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: 2008 Uly Low beam lightbulb issues
R/R ? :D
Author:  kevmean [ 04 Nov 2012 19:36 ]
Post subject:  Re: 2008 Uly Low beam lightbulb issues
Regulator Rectifier ;)
Author:  marshy [ 04 Nov 2012 19:42 ]
Post subject:  Re: 2008 Uly Low beam lightbulb issues
Ahhh okay, was certain the first R was for the regulator but wasn't aware that the rectifier was part of the same unit. Wasn't aware that it could have an intermittent fault, always thought that it would either work or not.

Anybody know what they go for new and where I can get one for a good price?
Page 1 of 3 All times are UTC
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Limited
https://www.phpbb.com/