NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
I discovered I had no left side foglight on the new RT-S. I thought I checked at the time of delivery, but I couldn't remember for sure. Figured it was a failed bulb, but with the connector off, I could also test the wiring to be sure. With it being a 35 mile ride to the dealer (through snow, salt, and slush), and with a burned out bulb not being covered under warranty anyway, I figured I'd do the job myself.
The manual says to remove the middle side panel (where you check the oil in this case) in order to see, then reach in through the wheel opening, past the suspension, to remove the bulb cover and disconnect the connector to change the bulb. Ha! Either the French-Canadians have more joints in their arms than I do, and eyeballs on periscopes, or this procedure is meant as a joke. I have been doing mechanical work a long time, and I have skinny little arms and hands, but this was not able to be done in any way shape or form. Perhaps a person could have reached the foglight cover from underneath, if the Spyder was on an open lift, but never from ground level. As to the view, I couldn't even see the cover using a light and a mirror.
So what did I have to do to gain access? I removed top side panel (which includes removing the front access panel on that side), loosened the rear side panel, then removed the top side inner panel (which included loosening one screw on the side of the front panel). This allowed me to reach the cover, although it is very tight for room. I still could not see while I worked...it was all done by feel. As to the connector, I was unable to get it to release, so expect a struggle with that, too. You do not want to break a connector in this area...and you are working blind.
Tracing wires I found another connector, where the foglight pigtail joins the harness, that was disconnected. I was lucky to find the harness end by reaching between the panels. It was real hard to connect way inside the wheel well, but the foglights now work fully. :thumbup: Apparently they missed this connector during setup.
Another note, I found an empty rubber boot connector tied to the lefty suspension tower and exposed to the weather. It appears this is a spare, for a front accessory outlet, according to the wiring diagram. Trouble is that it is hot all the time, instead of switched, as on the RS. This looks like a future headache to me. I may have to remove the entire trunk to move it, but if it is not relocated it will eventually corrode badly, and could run the battery down or short out. If it blows a fuse, you will not have reverse, since the reverse actuator is also on this circuit. Beware! :yikes:
The manual says to remove the middle side panel (where you check the oil in this case) in order to see, then reach in through the wheel opening, past the suspension, to remove the bulb cover and disconnect the connector to change the bulb. Ha! Either the French-Canadians have more joints in their arms than I do, and eyeballs on periscopes, or this procedure is meant as a joke. I have been doing mechanical work a long time, and I have skinny little arms and hands, but this was not able to be done in any way shape or form. Perhaps a person could have reached the foglight cover from underneath, if the Spyder was on an open lift, but never from ground level. As to the view, I couldn't even see the cover using a light and a mirror.
So what did I have to do to gain access? I removed top side panel (which includes removing the front access panel on that side), loosened the rear side panel, then removed the top side inner panel (which included loosening one screw on the side of the front panel). This allowed me to reach the cover, although it is very tight for room. I still could not see while I worked...it was all done by feel. As to the connector, I was unable to get it to release, so expect a struggle with that, too. You do not want to break a connector in this area...and you are working blind.
Tracing wires I found another connector, where the foglight pigtail joins the harness, that was disconnected. I was lucky to find the harness end by reaching between the panels. It was real hard to connect way inside the wheel well, but the foglights now work fully. :thumbup: Apparently they missed this connector during setup.
Another note, I found an empty rubber boot connector tied to the lefty suspension tower and exposed to the weather. It appears this is a spare, for a front accessory outlet, according to the wiring diagram. Trouble is that it is hot all the time, instead of switched, as on the RS. This looks like a future headache to me. I may have to remove the entire trunk to move it, but if it is not relocated it will eventually corrode badly, and could run the battery down or short out. If it blows a fuse, you will not have reverse, since the reverse actuator is also on this circuit. Beware! :yikes:
