Headlight Problem

[jvicker]

My headlights seem to dim and flicker as I ride. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[patches]

Is this at night or during the day. If during the day, this is normal. When you say flicker..do they go out and back on quickly. If so, this is not normal and I would get this looked at.

 

[wyliec]

My headlights seem to dim and flicker as I ride. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

You didn't happen to put bb's in the handle bars, did you?

 

[jvicker]

I did do the BB thing. Took them out last week. Can there be one stuck? If so where exactly?

 

[wyliec]

I did do the BB thing. Took them out last week. Can there be one stuck? If so where exactly?

I think Dudley had the same problem. There is a hole in the bars and I believe a bb or 2 got into the controls and caused him a problem; it may have been with his lights, if I remember correctly.

I'll let one of the experts who has had the left side controls off give their advice.

 

[NancysToy]

In addition to the possibility that the BBs are shorting out the switch, you may just have the appearance that the lights are flickering (daytime). A lot of the Spyders have headlight misalignment. The projector type beams are only visible from a very narrow angle, so they sometimes seem to go on and off as the Spyder bounces down the road, especially if they are misaligned. Had to adjust ours after my wife saw them flickering in her rearview mirror.

 

[Tom in NM]

Not an expert . . .

I think Dudley had the same problem. There is a hole in the bars and I believe a bb or 2 got into the controls and caused him a problem; it may have been with his lights, if I remember correctly.

I'll let one of the experts who has had the left side controls off give their advice.

. . . but yes, I have had the Left hand control module of my SE5 off and apart. Several times.

There is a hole in the handle bar - see pic - This is my bar after cutting it for installing the NMN risers. The control modules ( both the right and left ) have a small internal tab that fits in the hole and keeps it in the "right place" on the bar. If one ( or MORE ) BBs came through the opening, you should be able to unscrew the back 4 screws and it will come apart. And go back together will no real issue - just remember to realign the tab with the hole, otherwise, the control module won't go completely back together.

Tom

 

[jvicker]

In addition to the possibility that the BBs are shorting out the switch, you may just have the appearance that the lights are flickering (daytime). A lot of the Spyders have headlight misalignment. The projector type beams are only visible from a very narrow angle, so they sometimes seem to go on and off as the Spyder bounces down the road, especially if they are misaligned. Had to adjust ours after my wife saw them flickering in her rearview mirror.

Could be that. I don't notice it at night, as I can see the headlight "arches" in the road and don't see a flicker. Friends riding in front of me comment that my lights look like the are flickering. The Spyder is going in on wed. for new brake pads. I'll have the guy realign my headlights and see if that works.

Thanks to all for the help. This is what makes this site awesome.:2thumbs:

 

[Tom in NM]

just a little more . . .

Thanks to all for the help. This is what makes this site awesome.:2thumbs:

I found Dudley's entry on the problem he experienced - he does not say what it was here http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=113848&postcount=1 , but I think it was that it made the turn signals stick.

Yes, if your suspension is stiff and the road is rough, the lights can appear to flicker to people looking at the Spyder's front. You would not notice it, being behind them.

Tom

 

[Dudley]

The only problem with the BBs was my turn signals not working right. Undid the controls, took out the BBs in the controls, taped over the hole, cut the protruding nipple, screwed it back together...all is well. Thanks, Tom.

 

[spyder08]

my fog lights don't work. Had the recall done 2 weeks ago and the fog lights don't work. Do they unhook anything when they do the update or is this just a coincedence? I would like to trouble shoot but don't know where to begin. Can anyone tell me what I should look for? Don't want to go back to dealer (50 miles away) if it's something I can do myself.

 

[NancysToy]

my fog lights don't work. Had the recall done 2 weeks ago and the fog lights don't work. Do they unhook anything when they do the update or is this just a coincedence? I would like to trouble shoot but don't know where to begin. Can anyone tell me what I should look for? Don't want to go back to dealer (50 miles away) if it's something I can do myself.

Check the fuse first.

 

[mike3069]

My headlights have always looked like the are flickering to other people as the Spyder comes at them.

In my opinion, this is OK and even a desirable effect. Why? Because it gets the attention of other drivers VERY well. The Spyder is much more visable to the cagers we share the road with because of this.

Adding the NMN HID's only makes this work about 3 times BETTER.

Visibility to others is a VERY GOOD thing!:2thumbs:

 

[bjt]

My headlights have always looked like the are flickering to other people as the Spyder comes at them.

In my opinion, this is OK and even a desirable effect. Why? Because it gets the attention of other drivers VERY well. The Spyder is much more visable to the cagers we share the road with because of this.

Adding the NMN HID's only makes this work about 3 times BETTER.

Visibility to others is a VERY GOOD thing!:2thumbs:

+1