Headlight bulb - blown or not?

[AlanB]

I would be interested in your collective thoughts and opinions on this.

I recently observed a bulb failure warning light on the RID (curiously, around the same time that I wired my satnav in, which may or may not be a coincidence), and, after looking up front, confirmed that the dipped beam bulb was in fact not lit. I pulled the bulb and swapped it with a spare. Same result. Thinking that the spare may have been a dud that I foolishly put back in the packet, I then used the other spare (I couldn't have put TWO duds back, surely).

This time, though, instead of refitting the bulb in the holder, I simply attached the power connector, and switched the ignition on. The filament glowed a dull orange colour for a split second, then it went out, never to re-light.

That split second of life has now got me puzzled. Is the bulb actually OK, and might the problem be with the controller unit? Or have I somehow frazzled two perfectly good bulbs (both H7, 12V, 55W)? I haven't dared swap the main beam bulb over (which I know works) because I'm a long way from home.

Any ideas?

 

[millard]

When I switch the ignition on, before starting the engine, the headlamp flashes on briefly. It then lights up again when the engine's started. I don't know if this happened before I fitted HID's, or if I just never noticed it due to the standard lights being a lot dimmer.

 

[John Armstrong]

Any ideas?

Started the engine after the bulb change

 

['Nuffsaid]

When I switch the ignition on, before starting the engine, the headlamp flashes on briefly. It then lights up again when the engine's started. I don't know if this happened before I fitted HID's, or if I just never noticed it due to the standard lights being a lot dimmer.

Millard - That is standard on HID's on the 12, doesn't happen on "normal" bulbs

 

[Les Wassall]

Alan if you want some bulbs for testing pm me and I can send you some

 

[millard]

Millard - That is standard on HID's on the 12, doesn't happen on "normal" bulbs

 

[AlanB]

Les

PM on its way. Thanks for the help.

 

[Grizz]

Hi Alan,

When my 2006 (almost exactly 2 years old) battery was busy killing itself.... the following bulb warning came on.... (my bike is fitted with HID)
Once I had replaced the battery with a new Odysey..... gone.

Could your battery be on the way out ?

 

[AlanB]

Well, blow me (no pun intended), but it seems you were right, Milard, about starting the engine (or just very lucky). After faffing around with 3 bulbs and getting no joy, I left one of the replacements in, and when I started out on my route home, lo and behold I see a reflection off the back of the car in front. The headlight is on, and the warning light is off. So panic over.

Les, thanks for the kind offer. I will chase up the HID's one day - promise.

Grizz, you may also be close to the mark. I left the satnav cradle plugged into the socket up front over the weekend, and I wonder whether I may have just pulled on the battery during that time...

Thanks to all who responded. I appreciate it.

 

[John Armstrong]

Is your sat nav a quest with a q-pac adapter. If so it always is taking power

 

[millard]

Hi Alan,

When my 2006 (almost exactly 2 years old) battery was busy killing itself.... the following bulb warning came on.... (my bike is fitted with HID)
Once I had replaced the battery with a new Odysey..... gone.

Could your battery be on the way out ?

errrrrrr why you only got 15k on yer speedo ??????????????
enquirin minds would like to know?

 

[Pukmeister]

Having the blown headlamp warning show in the display has happened to me every time I have disconnected my battery on my 1200GS for wiring in Autocom, GPS, Hella Micro DE's etc.

I think the CPU that looks after the headlamp warning needs to do a self-test after its power has been interrupted in some way, hence a faulty battery could also give you the blown lamp warning on the display if the battery cell voltage is low.

Simply start the engine after any interruption of the battery and allow the bikes brain to reset itself and the faulty lamp indicator should extinguish (unless the filament has actually blown).

 

[Grizz]

errrrrrr why you only got 15k on yer speedo ??????????????
enquirin minds would like to know?

Only had the bike 4 weeks .... would say it is well into 16k mark now.

Got it as 3rd owner now.

Pipster was the 1st owner. Most of its miles were done in his ownership accross Europe etc.

For me the bike is a social tool, as I am a rep and do 600miles plus per week in a car working.

Miles will build slowly though.