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Cruiser
Posts: 172
Prescott, Az | Has anyone either had this problem or know what it could be...when my bike idles for several minutes and the engine get good and warm, my headlamp will either flicker or go out for a few minutes. It just did it again tonight in my driveway so I can't trust the bike at night until this get fixed. Would a loose battery connection do this?? I'm off to the dealership tomorrow. Any ideas? Helllllp!
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"Let's not argue about who killed who..". Monty Python and the Holy Grail"
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Cruiser
Posts: 208
Wichita, Kansas | By the time this posts you'll have been to the dealer already. Others have had similar problems but I've never seen a specific cause posted other than "Thanks, that did it." Please post what he found and next time we may be able to point the lucky person to a specific thing to check first. Thanks, and good luck.
Edited by KansasGuardsman 2009-07-11 2:49 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 172
Prescott, Az | Unfortunately my Dealer's mechanic can't find a problem. He thinks that putting lots of strain on the battery while idling for long periods is the problem as the Viz uses lots of power. I think its related to the heat that has built up while sitting for long periods is affecting something like the alternator or regulator. In defense of the mechanic's argument, when I had my XM installed yesterday the wrench who did the install accidently turned on my heated seats. So that was a strong pull on the battery while idling yesterday. However, the other two times this happened there was no such issue. My thought is simply this: If no other Visions engaged in traffic jams or long periods of idling are having this problem, then there is something wrong with my bike. The mechanic said he will run the issue past Victory and see what's up.
Edited by Necktie 2009-07-11 3:12 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Nt is there any flucuation in the engine RPM's? I'm curious as my did the acting like it was starving for fuel thing when it was running HOT, but I didn't notice and draw on the lights. Hmmmm, I don't know if I would defend the mech, but I don't know either. I would think others would have complained about that problem looooong before you if draw was a problem. Flickers are wires or other issues, and I'm wondering where the headlight ground is. I hope you figure it out as you're right, spaceships can't fly at night without lights unless your cloaking.  Oh, and I just notice your "run by Victory" comment, like, yeah, right, they'll get right on it and have you a personal phone call before you go to bed tonight. Fix it and tells us what you did....
Edited by varyder 2009-07-11 5:05 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 172
Prescott, Az | The engine RPM's are, and stay, normal. No coughing or sputtering or backfiring. The second time this happened in a traffic jam, the voltmeter started to jump from 14+ to below 12. It did this repeatedly. Once the traffic jam was over and I was back up to speed, everything became normal. I just KNOW I'm gonna be calling for a tow truck soon. It will like the headstone that reads "See! I told you I was sick!" |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA |
(NECKTIE_VISION_tombstone.jpg)
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 NECKTIE_VISION_tombstone.jpg (36KB - 1 downloads)
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Cruiser
Posts: 172
Prescott, Az | Ouch!!  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 296
Central Florida | Check to see if your headlight assembly is sealed properly with no cracks.
after a crash on mine there was a crack in headlight assembly and when ever there was H2o in headlight the lights would flicker and go out.
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| I suggest having the battery tested with a top notch tester. A good alternator rebuild shop should have one. Test the amps/voltage under load for an extended period. Also inspect the connectors for properly contact and tightness.
Keep us posted. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 172
Prescott, Az | Thanks Devilboy and RedRider. I will check those issues 1st chance I get. For the next week the Viz gets parked while we move into a new house. Finally a garage to house the bike! The Viz will have its own stall and I plan on having a TV, gun safe, tools, humidor, and easy chair in that stall. I may never ride again. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 208
Wichita, Kansas | It sounds to me like the alternator is sometimes going off line (the 14 VDC drops off) leaving the battery to supply all power (the 12 VDC that it drops to). The engine was not reported to be coughing, so it's probably not a short causing a massive pull down. Therefore, it sounds most likely would be an alternator, regulator or a connection/connector/wire somewhere in the alternator circuit. The connector seems to be in a somewhat exposed position, so I'd look there first (Pg 16.10 on Pg 428 of the manual). First, I'd play with the connector and see if it goes away. If this is a regular, pretty predictable occurrence, next I'd jiggle the wires around the connector. If nothing happens I'd pop the connector (while off), start up and let it idle for a while. If the battery is charged it will run for a while just on battery power. If it doesn't re-occur, you've narrowed it down. At that point, if you're comfortable playing with that stuff, I'd perform the tests in the manual and leave the meter on each set of wires for a while to watch for any fluctuations. Then perform the other tests. If that passes, hook it back up and try idling again just to be sure it's still bad. If it is, I'm out of ideas.
Radioteacher, what do you think? |
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