Headlights By nalrac (Read 1,786 times)

[nalrac]

Obviously, if it's not one thing, it's another...

I noticed on my way to the office this morning that my dash lights were flickering. I didn't think much of it until tonight when I went to take my scoot out and my headlights/dashlights/rear-brake light aren't working.

My headlights WILL come on but very dimly lit when I rev the engine. As you know, I recently replaced my stator. I noticed today that it's putting out 16v consistently. Is this too high. Is my voltage regulator bad?

[Bashan]

How are you getting the 16v measurement? Rich

[nalrac]

Off of the voltage meter on the dash.

[sprocket]

Measure the voltage across the battery, Remove the red wire from the battery and measure the voltage in DC volts between the red wire and the frame or the black wire on the battery...

You should get about 13.5 to 14.5 volts at 1/2 throttle... any more and the regulator is finished...

[Bashan]

Then that is the voltage going into your battery and that is definately a bad voltage regulator, if the gauge is correct. I'd put a multimeter on your battery and give the engine a few RPMs just to double check. It should be around 14v DC. Rich

[sprocket]

Bashan there must be a echo in here! Right On...

[nalrac]

Thanks fellas! So, just to be clear, if I am getting a higher reading and my regulator is bad how does this affect my headlights? If my reading is good, then could it be a bad ground?

[sprocket]

Often when a rectifier/ regulator goes it sends raw AC volts through the system and all the bulbs blow. You need to check the bulbs.. sounds like this may be your situation...may have taken out your low beams and your high beams were off at the time so they still are working.. hard to say...

Check the bulbs

[nalrac]

Thanks sprocke,

Turns out my voltage is exactly where it should be. My gauge must be unreliable. However, here's a new development:

I noticed that my tail light wasn't working either. My brake light (front) and turn signals are fine. This morning I started her up and the headlights (high and low) and tail light were working great. By the time I got to the end of my driveway they were off again. This time they didn't flicker like before. It was like flipping a switch...

Could it be my switch is bad? Would this affect my tail light too?

Thanks!

- Adam

[sprocket]

Ya.. bad switch or just a loose connection.. start by checking at the handle bars and then work out to the headlights...Could be a bad ground wire somewhere

[nalrac]

Does the switch control/affect the tail light too?

[sprocket]

Don't know.. every brand and model scooter is wired a bit different...