| Author | Message | ||
     Bdb_csiii |
Recently noticed while driving in the dark the lights in my 2004 XB12R will get dim, then brighten up and then get dim again, as if something is drawing down the battery. There seems to be no rhyme or reason for this. Battery checks out at full charge. I have checked the stator and it appears to be good, no grounds and putting out proper voltage when running. Voltage, using a multimeter shows about 14.5 volts with bike running. Don't have a load tester so I haven't been able to do a proper load test. Any ideas? | ||
| Sparky |
You probably have a poor ground somewhere in the headlight wiring. Trace the wires that lead out of the headlight sockets and look particularly at the way the wires are crimped in the contacts making sure that there are no broken or loose strands at the crimp points and that the contacts are fully seated at the sockets. | ||
| Bdb_csiii |
Thanks Sparky, but I've already checked that, did find a spade terminal that needed replacing, but it still does it. It not only affects the headlights, both hi and low beam but the instrument lights as well. It does not seem to be affected by bumps or jars, like you'd think a loose or bad connection would be. | ||
| Sparky |
Hmmm, when the headlights dim at night, does it get dangerously dark to where it could be hazardous while riding? Or do they seem to dim while riding at about the level of "dimness" that happens when the engine is idling, do you know what I mean? In other words, normally the headlights will brighten somewhat if the rpms are raised from idle to around 2500 rpms because the charging system is creating excess energy beyond charging the battery and is shunting the excess energy at the voltage regulator shunt. So if the lights are "flickering" at rpms above idle, that might be an indication of a flaky battery about to fail or the voltage regulator is not quite right but isn't failing. But a voltage of 14.5 at elevated rpms is good; if it were above that, then the VR would be suspect. | ||
| Berto |
My 06 Uly did the same thing.When I fixed the ground between the battery and frame the problem went away | ||
| Bdb_csiii |
I hadn't thought about the battery ground. I'll check that. Fortunately it doesn't get terribly dim, just enough to be annoying. Another thing I've noticed is that it doesn't seem to do it at idle, only at road speeds. I'll check the battery as well, it could be getting "flaky", not sure how old it is. Just wish I had a draw tester. | ||
| Chuffy |
Having exact same issue under same set of circumstances. Any definitives? Was it the battery ground at chassis? or bad battery? Thanks |
