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Author Topic: I keep blowing my headlight  (Read 1281 times)

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Offline brett_bike

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I keep blowing my headlight
« on: July 07, 2009, 06:37:13 AM »
I must be wiring my blinkers wrong, because I keep blowing my headlight and all of my blinker bulbs at the same time.  I just ordered a new turn signal relay and headlight.  Could it be an old signal relay that makes them all blow?  Did I have the blinkers hooked up incorrectly? They are 3 wire blinkers hooking up to a 2 wire system, would it short out everything if the extra wire touched.  I want to make sure I'm hooking everything up correctly before I'm stuck with no headlight again. Maybe I should just go back to the system that always works...hand signals.

The signals I'm using are a Lockhart Phillips 3 wire marker light, I followed the instruction on the packaging, I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.
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Offline the technological J

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Re: I keep blowing my headlight
« Reply #1 on: July 07, 2009, 08:23:08 AM »
im stilla noob but have u checked the fuse box or behind it for shorts..that might be the reason for losing all three at the same time ..  but id look for it around the inside of the head light or around the blinker module
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Offline manjisann

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Re: I keep blowing my headlight
« Reply #2 on: July 07, 2009, 09:12:04 AM »
Not the exact same issue but I know when I was first working on my 500 I kept letting the headlight touch the body and it would short that way. Remember that the ground on these old bikes travels through the bike frame for many of the components. That being said, unless someone comes on here with a better explanation (I'm sure it will happen  :D ) I'd check that all your connections are clean, no breaks in the insulation anywhere, and that everything is hooked up correctly. Also, do you have the color wiring diagram? It made a huge difference for me when I was doing the wiring. Can you take pics of your headlight hookups and blinker hookups? That might help us spot what is causing the problem.

HTH,

Brandon
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Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: I keep blowing my headlight
« Reply #3 on: July 07, 2009, 09:28:40 AM »
Get a color diagram from this site (should be in the faq section) and run down and inspect all connections and wires with the headlight and blinkers.
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Offline CB500_k2

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Re: I keep blowing my headlight
« Reply #4 on: July 07, 2009, 09:41:42 AM »
Bulbs blow due to over voltage.  Check the output voltage of your alternator.  It could be that your regulator is not working properly.  The need for frequent battery water replenishment is also an indication of excessive voltage.

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Offline tlbranth

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Re: I keep blowing my headlight
« Reply #5 on: July 07, 2009, 09:43:07 AM »
do the lights actually burn up or fuse blow or what?
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Offline brett_bike

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Re: I keep blowing my headlight
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2009, 06:33:51 AM »
Here's the latest.  Installed new headlight from Bikebandit dot com, low/high beam work fine but not very bright.  I unhooked the blinkers because all worked fine before I installed them.  I wanted to go back to ground zero and work my way backward.  Riding home from work last night, I pulled into my driveway and hit the high beam button just to check if I have the angle set correctly, POP!  All lights go out and the bike shuts down, fuse maybe or short in the switch.  Went to bed, worry about it in the morning.

This morning I got up and checked the fuse, it was blown.  I replaced it and when I inspected the old one I come to find out it was a 14 amp, my service manual says my '73CB500 Four takes a 15 amp.  Could this have been the reason my bulbs were blowing?   I also tested the low/high beam and fuse is still holding.

Going back to my original post, just the headlight and the blinkers were blowing (not the fuse originally).  I still had dummy lights and tail light, and the bike still ran.  There is only one fuse on this bike and when it goes, nothing goes.

CB500_k2: Haven't had to put water in my battery since day one.  Everything was fine until the day I installed the blinkers.

Dukiedook:  I will refer to the color wire diagram and revisit the blinkers.

I will try to get pics soon, the bike is running now and I don't think I should mess with it just yet.
« Last Edit: July 08, 2009, 05:44:05 PM by brett_bike »
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Offline brett_bike

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Re: I keep blowing my headlight
« Reply #7 on: July 17, 2009, 03:00:03 PM »
Update.  I hooked up my blinkers again with a new winker relay.  I followed the color diagram I found on this forum, and my service manual, all is (and was) hooked up correctly.  What I found the problem to be (I think) was the RH blinker wire was only holding on by 1 strand of wire.  Could this have shorted out all of my blinkers and headlight?  I'm afraid to use the blinkers for fear of blowing my headlight again until I have a backup headlight.

Next problem.  I also ordered a new winker relay (see above), but when I turn my blinkers on they come on and it stays on without blinking.  Could I have the incorrect power winker relay, or is there a specific bulb size I should be using?  They are a Lockhart Philips standard bulb, no LED BS on this bike.

I fear electronics, any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Offline OldSchool_IsCool

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Re: I keep blowing my headlight
« Reply #8 on: July 17, 2009, 03:38:23 PM »
Do you get proper winker operation if the engine is running/reving?
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Offline brett_bike

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Re: I keep blowing my headlight
« Reply #9 on: July 17, 2009, 04:06:51 PM »
Apparently...

You have to have the front and rear turn signals hooked up to make them flash.  Just in case noobs other than myself need to know.

It's official, I'm an idiot!
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