| Author | Message | ||
     Luvthemtorts |
Well, one week into Buell ownership and the low beam has stopped working on my 2003 Firebolt! The bulb has been replaced and all obvious wires have been checked for loose connection. Does anyone have a clue where to look next or is this the first (and hopefully last) visit to the delearship for repair? Man I hope this isn't a sign of things to come! I dismissed all the talk about Buells and took the plunge. Now I am rethinking how wise of a decision that really was. Any help is appreciated!!! | ||
| Spiderman |
Is the run switch on? The 03's lowbeam would only come on when the run postion was switched to on. The light remains off till the switch is turned to run that way if you leave the key on there isn't a drain on the battery | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Not major, If all other checks fail... Check the wire bulb retainer in the headlight assy. Mine heated up and came loose. A quick bend in the right direction made for a permanent fix... | ||
| Frausty12r |
Does the High beam lamp work? it wasn't mentioned but I figured I'd ask, as I think both headlamps run off the same relay. Could be the relay's gone bad. Another way to check if it's the assembly or the power lead going to it, is to swap the hot lead from your low beam to the high beam. I think the Low beam's hot lead is the yellow, and the High beams is white. (Could be off on colors) but just swap the one from the low side to the high side and if the high beam works.. it's in the housing. Could be the retainer as mentioned by Charlieboy6649. If it doesn't work, could be the relay.. or a fuse. (haven't checked if mines gotta headlamp fuse) | ||
| Luvthemtorts |
The high beam does work. The low beam works also when the switch is on high but not by itself (low beam position). It is weird. The neutral light does not turn on unless you hold the clutch lever in (everytime I pull it in to change gears it comes on and then goes off when lever is let out). The bike will not show neutral without the clutch lever in. Also it now won't start without the clutch pulled in. I am pretty bummed. The shop can't get it in until September 1st and I don't want to hurt anything by riding it this way. Thanks all for the help thus far!! | ||
| Frausty12r |
nah don't be bummed, read a similar thing (minus the headlamp not working) happened to a guy with a brand new XB12X, not sure what the problem could be as I haven't had to diagnose it, (nor am I in anyway qualified of pulling the guts out and knowing whats wrong) "but I did sleep at a holiday in express last night" *grin* On a more serious note, I don't think you'd be hurting anything riding with it in this condition, you'll just need to run your high beam and deal with the neutral light not working until you can get it to the shop. Thinking it could be an ECM issue, as I believe it controls/reads/monitors all the electronics on the bike. If in fact it does end up being the ECM, and IF the warranty is out on the bike (being it's a 2003) just pick up a race ECM =) | ||
| Lovematt |
I had a problem with this on my '03 XB9R and I checked the retainer clip on the bulb and it seemed a bit loose so I bent it a bit more to press the bulb against the housing harder (important to make sure there is contact there....that is how the circuit is completed. However the low beam still didn't work too well...it opened up the hi/lo beam switch and noted the solder was broken and holding the wires a certain way would have the lo beam working good all the time. I ended up taking an electrical solder tip and remelting the contact and it has been good ever since. Another thing you might check is the fuzes...a buddy of mine had an XB9R and his fuse was blown on that circuit... Good luck finding the problem...that neutral light behavior should definitely be noted to the shop if you bring it in. Give them as many clues as possible to work with. | ||
| Odinbueller |
I don't think an ECM will affect lights, it's strictly engine management. Check the instrument cluster connector, make sure all pins are in the connectors, nothing buggered. Also ties into the run/stop switch, flasher relay & data connector. Check connections at those components to make sure they're all good. Something to do before your appointment that may uncover something. | ||
| Frausty12r |
I stand corrected. | ||
| Luvthemtorts |
Spent some time looking and still couldn't find anything (although I did find out this thing has a bunch o' wires LOL!). I think I figured out a better way to explain what is going on so here goes. Turn the key with the kill switch on, kickstand up and transmission in neutral. Needles sweep but no neutral light, low beam or fuel pump. Pull the clutch lever and the fuel pump,low beam and neutral light comes on just fine. Riding down the road the neutral light comes on every time I switch gears or hold in the clutch lever regardless of what gear I am in. I truly appreciate all of you taking the time to help a fellow figure out his problems. Man this really blows!! | ||
| Frausty12r |
nows about the time I wish I had my shop manual I ordered on Friday. Perhaps the schematics can show whats happening. Odin, Does the Intrument cluster control the electronics outside the ECM? if so would it be possible it's bad? I haven't had a chance to dig into mine to see if theres a clutch sensor, since his issues clear up when the clutch is completely disengaged, sounds like it may? | ||
| Lonexb |
some kind of neutral safety switch? | ||
| Frausty12r |
Thats what I was thinking lonexb, but it doesn't make sense, as the bike will start and run in all gears, just no neutral light until the clutch is pulled in.. *shrug* leaving this to the knowledgeable ones. | ||
| Luvthemtorts |
Well I've been putting a lot of thought into my problem and I am starting to think the problem isn't with the headlight at all. After reading the manual again, I went out put the bike in neutral, put the kickstand up, turned the kill switch to run and turned the key. The low beam came on, neutral light lit up and the fuel pump primed. However it still would not start unless the clutch lever was pulled in. This combined with showing neutral everytime the clutch is pulled regardless of gear leads me to believe it is either the kickstand safety or some sort of clutch safety mechanism. I noticed the clutch perch has a little "plunger" type deal right below the lever and was wondering if this might be the culprit. If the above scenario gives anybody else more ideas as to what could be wrong I would love to hear it before the local dealer starts tearing through my wiring harness. Thanks | ||
| Odinbueller |
Gotta check my schematics, and will get back to you a bit later. I know the nuetral light is just a switch that heads up to the instruments, but can't remeber if it ties into anything else along the way. Other components not related to engine management do at points tie into a wire that might lead to the ECM. There is the clutch switch on the perch, but shouldn't have a sidestand switch like the tubers. Let me mull this one over through the big gray delco and will post a bit later tonight. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
It should have a sidestand switch as well!!!! Someone with a XB go check. | ||
| Frausty_void |
03's I believe have one, as they redesigned the kickstand to automatically retract if left down and ride away. (Think I read that in another thread) My 05 does not, as I have taken off in first gear with the kickstand down and it didn't kill the engine. | ||
| Luvthemtorts |
It does indeed have the safety on the kickstand as per the owners manual. Odinbueller, Were you able to come up with anything? I noticed that once the bike is started you can place the stand down while in neutral and the bike behaves normally (stays running, lights work, neutral light shows). So much for my swingarm sliders. If I can't resolve this issue myself the reapir bill will take what little money I had left over from the purchase of the bike. This SUCKS!!  | ||
| Luvthemtorts |
I want to give a big public thanks to Sam for solving this problem! He walked me step by step through a diagnostic process which led to the discovery that one of the diodes was in backwards. I don't know how that happened since I've only had the bike a short time and haven't messed with them, but it seems to have cleared up the issues! I can't believe it was something so simple! Thanks again Sam and if you ever need anything out Va. way let me know and it will be done. Jackie | ||
| Sammigs |
Your very welcome Jackie. I wish you smooth sailing and excellent rides from here on out.  Sam |
