| Author | Message | ||
     Smac |
Well, My new running headlight just failed...after only 3 months. As with the other installs, I carefully installed it without touching the bulb to keep any oils off the glass. I have an '08 XT w/ 33K miles that I purchased new in '09 & I've probably changed the light bulb a dozen times over the years, but 3 month life is by far the shortest! I also have a '01 CBR929RR...still on the original bulb! My question to the group: is there any correlation of the failing light bulbs with my current check engine light intermittently coming on? I will say that my bike doesn't always run perfectly...idle isn't always stable & sometimes the power isn't always there. The odd thing is sometimes the bike runs perfect & strong, other times it's temperamental. All mechanical items including the exhaust are stock & the ECU is also original. Stator & voltage regulator are original as well. I had the intake seals replaced about 10K miles ago due to leak. Any feedback or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I'm starting to lose my patience with the annoying issues...that new BMW S1000XR looks pretty sweet!  Any thoughts or suggestions for next steps? | ||
| Reepicheep |
Check the voltage while the bike is running, the voltage regulator could be failing. I had trouble with silverstars dying quickly in my 9sx, even though the voltage regulator was fine. I just switched to a cheap HID kit. (Message edited by reepicheep on September 29, 2015) | ||
| Froggy |
Voltage regulator, when it starts to fail can cause voltage spikes. Usually the headlight bulbs are the first to go. After that you start damaging other components like the ECM. The VR seems to last around 30k miles on the later XBs, sounds like you are due. Also, if the voltage spikes enough it can cause a check engine light (as it would if it dropped voltage too much). Check the codes to confirm, the VR is likely your culprit. (Message edited by froggy on September 29, 2015) | ||
| Ourdee |
Mosfet Kit FH020AA SHINDENGEN FH020AA REGULATOR/RECTIFIER There are lots of threads where some of us used these to replace the VR on Ulys. | ||
| Etennuly |
After you check for the VR, check the grounds on and around the headlight mount/fly screen area to the steering head. Bad grounds can also kill bulbs. | ||
| Mark_weiss |
When I used standard automotive store headlight bulbs, their service life was short. I purchased a 'motorcycle specific' heavy duty bulb and had no more issues. | ||
| Teeps |
Mark_weiss Posted on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - When I used standard automotive store headlight bulbs, their service life was short. My experience as well. | ||
| Uly_man |
While the CEL system is not a great help with faults if it DOES COME ON then you have a fault some place. Also proper motorcycle headlamp bulbs (lamps) have a thicker filament and better filament support IE Heavy duty to cope with the conditions a bike has to deal with. | ||
| Biffdotorg |
See our other threads on VR and Stators. You would become the latest member of the 2008 XT club with failed VR or Stators this summer. I think we have six new members this riding season. Many of us are between 25K-30K miles, so you went further than us before replacing one or both. CEL code should be a voltage error and it could be caused by a number of things listed above. Having a wired in voltage meter would be ideal, but if you want cheap and easy, the 12v digital voltage meter that plugs into the aux socket will tell you if things are out of wack. That is before you drop below the voltage that the ECU will shut off the outlet at. Good luck |
