HID works but display started to permanently indicate faulty front light bulb

[jogo]

Hi,
I asked this in the vendor section first in the thread of the Les Wassal HID lights but thought afterwards I should have placed it here, sorry for that

Anyway here it goes:

I fitted the Les Wassal HID (for dip beam only) to my 2005 R1200GS about a year ago (I think). Ever since, on seldom occasions, after engine start when the self check was completed, the signal for a faulty front bulb came on. The light worked faultless even though and the error signal usually disappeared after few km.

I was on a weekend trip now. The above mentioned signal came up at every engine start and never cleared itself. The HID-light worked faultless. Would have been much worse the other way round

It would be nice understand the reason behind and correct it. If someone could advice me where and for what I should look, I would be grateful

Thanks in advance

 

[Roymondo]

Try putting a new sidelight bulb in (and make sure it works).

 

[TLSgazza]

Also, does your high beam still work?

 

[Edward]

Sometimes if the ballast (i think that's what it's called) is installed too close to the dash it can interfere with the display.

 

[jogo]

Hi,
thanks a lot for your replies!

A failure in the high beam was also my first thought. I checked it and it works nicely. Sorry forgot to mention that in the initial post.

Electromagnetic interference is a very valid point as I learned when I first installed the HID. I had placed the ballast on the bracket that holds the lower en of the front screen . That was close enough to the speedo to cause it to do strange things.
Now the ballast and the other "electronic box" are placed as far away from any other electronics under the right hand side cover as the cable length would allow.
Also as with this setup everything worked nicely most of the time and only got worse last weekend I guess something else must be behind?

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

Not exactly the same problem as yours but...

I contacted the Les the other week as my headlight wasn't always turning on when starting the bike, and I was getting the Lamp failure display. Following his advice I put the battery on charge for 24hrs and I haven't noticed the problem again. Apparently HID's need lots of battery power, with short journeys discharging the battery sufficiently for them not to work.

 

[AlexG]

Try putting a new sidelight bulb in (and make sure it works).

This ^

I have had an intermittent lamp warning in the past and while the sidelight bulb still worked, after changing it the warning never recurred.

 

[JPR]

For me, blipping the throttle on start up works.

 

[Bendy toy]

Mine used to play up randomly. I cleaned the connector contacts and its been fine ever since. The connectors didn't look dirty but (hey) the problem was solved.

 

[jogo]

Hi,
following the advice I pulled the sidelight bulb yesterday evening. The glass was pretty black and the filament gone as far as I could see

I did not have a spare so I could not test, but I'm sure a new bulb will cure it.

I'm ready to admit that it was a bit stupid on my part not to think about the sidelight . When I bought the bike new 9 years ago, I remember that I wondered what purpose a sidelight on motorbike serves, but never thought about it afterwards, therefore it did not cross my mind now...

Anyway, thank you very much a lot for taking the time to help me

 

[Les Wassall]

Hi,
following the advice I pulled the sidelight bulb yesterday evening. The glass was pretty black and the filament gone as far as I could see

I did not have a spare so I could not test, but I'm sure a new bulb will cure it.

I'm ready to admit that it was a bit stupid on my part not to think about the sidelight . When I bought the bike new 9 years ago, I remember that I wondered what purpose a sidelight on motorbike serves, but never thought about it afterwards, therefore it did not cross my mind now...

Anyway, thank you very much a lot for taking the time to help me

Should have come to me, I'd have told you check that best put a LED T10 in, pm me if you need one

 

[jogo]

Thanks Les, that's much appreciated. I'm sure you are a busy man, did not want to bother you I would however have taken contact after tried all other options.

I bought a bulb at the petrol station already. I'm hoping not to have forgotten it exits next time it needs replacement and the failure message comes up...

 

[Ezejef]

I seem to have the same problem - only happens rarely but it's strangely reassuring to learn that my bike's not a freak! Now when it comes to me......