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Buell Forum » Knowledge Vault (tech, parts, apparel, & accessories topics) » Electrical - Battery, Charg Sys, Lights, Switches, Sensors & Guages » Archive through October 14, 2011 » Headlight burning out « Previous Next »

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Spicerack
Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 - 02:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My 06 uly has started burning out bulbs at the rate of about one per tank of gas. It's always been hard on low beams, lasting about 4 months or so, but this new rate is much more annoying. I have checked grounds and all seem secure. I ran engine for about 15 minutes with multimeter on battery and it had no spikes. Can't find any chafed wires. Have tried 4 different makes/ models of bulb from 50-55 watts. Any suggestions?
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Froggy
Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 - 02:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Sounds like the Voltage Regulator. It is what keeps your bike running around 14 volts, if it malfunctions it can cause the voltage to periodically spike and will blow out bulbs and eventually other electronics including your ECM. It is the black thing with fins that is mounted in front of the motor above the chin spoiler.
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Reepicheep
Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 - 05:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Or a bad ground somewhere. Multimeters have a hard time detecting spikes, so they may be there and you don't see them.
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Jlnance
Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 - 06:58 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I ran engine for about 15 minutes with multimeter on battery and it had no spikes.

Tape the multimeter to the bike and go for a ride and see if the voltage is still so well behaved.

I would guess a regulator or stator problem. Do you still have the original '77' connector that came with the bike or have you upgraded it? If you don't know what I'm talking about you still have the original. ; ) It tends to melt and cause problems.

The stators tend to short out too, and that will destroy the regulator eventually as well. How many miles on the bike? Both my 06 Uly's lost their stators at around 40k miles. You can check the stator with a multimeter. There is a 3 wire connector that runs from it to the voltage regulator. None of those 3 wires should have any path to ground. If they do, you need a new stator.

My guess is you need a new stator and a new VR (which will come with the updated connector.)
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