KawasakiTrax Community
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: DougKauer on March 24, 2014, 11:20:08 PM
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Just picked up a 1979 invader, but the headlight is not working and the guy told me it was working two weeks ago. Bulb is new. Does anyone know what the problem might be. thanks for any info. :(
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Check the wiring and connectors. Does the tail light work?
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no tail lite...check engine connector under radiator......tail lite...check harness from headlite bulb back
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could be the dimmer switch on the handlebars, might be unplugged. or just a bad bulb, or maybe wires melted going to the bulb under the hood. They can fall on the exhaust if they aren't tied down good.
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Could be the voltage regulator. To check this you should be able to unplug it if your headlight bulb is good an all wiring and dimmer switch are working. If the regulator has a dead short you should have lights. DO NOT REV THE ENGINE with the regulator unplugged. You'll blow all your bulbs if you rev the engine with the regulator unplugged.
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What should the output be? I'm getting 100 to 155 volts ac on my 80 Intruder non electric start. And I can't keep bulbs in it!!
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100-155 is pretty high.
I have seen 50-60 volts ac with no regulator.
With the regulator working they should test 12-16 volts ac. Much more than that and the bulbs will blow
Lloyd
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so I wonder what's causing it to be so high? There is a reg on it, but it's pretty obvious that it's not working. The only bulbs that are lasting are the instrument lights (which are useless anyways) and the high beam side on the headlight.
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Check the continuity of the wiring to the voltage regulator. If it is good then the regulator is either bad or ungrounded.
If it is not electric start the Kimpex part number for the voltage regulator is 01-154-33. If it has electric start Kimpex part number 01-154-16 will work.
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Thanks, I'll try that this weekend. Maybe I'll just get a reg to be on the safe side. And nope, no electric start.
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that high of voltage and the high beam not burning out doesn't sound right.....
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I was thinking that too Kawhead.
All the bulbs should just go pop as soon as it starts
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I'd think so too.. but the taillight goes first, then the brake, then the low beam. Still haven't blown the tach and speedo bulbs...hmmm wonder if I'm reading the voltmeter wrong, and it's actually 10 to 15.5 v?? I'll recheck this weekend with my old analogue meter.
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Come on!! I know you can tell the voltage by licking your fingers and touching the wires... That's how us old timers do it.... Hate to admit it but I do have a few analog meters laying around yet too.
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LOL.. yeah, but if it is 155 that's it's putting out, it hurts the hair!! If a digital meter is set to 2000, and the numbers displayed are 100 to 155, I would guess it's that's what its measuring .. 100 to 155?? At least with an analog meter, and the X 1, X 10, X 100 settings, you know what the measurement is!!!
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i must say there are times i want to see how far out the back door i can throw my fancy fluke meter... :o
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there was a service bulliten on bad wire ends at the tail lite.....unplug the tail lite harness and see what you have
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I'll try that. I've had the tail light right out, re-did the mounts. It seems funny that that one is the first to go. I'm using an ordinary 1157 bulb?
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Only the voltage regulator giving you trouble in your case of blowing bulbs. The order the bulbs go out is not relevant. Your meter does not need to work. You are getting voltage but then only too much voltage. Even if you have melted fused wires touching ground that would not matter (light would not work). Just a good voltage regulator and you are back lighted up.
Melted fused wires would cause other problems like; crap grab a fire extinguisher. Speaking of these new crap multi-meters... Hope my old one never fails, then after about 30 years I doubt it would. Then new economy tricks you into buying the new one such then it can go out after the warranty. Bastards.
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Meters.. Mine was recalled!! Something about it catching fire if used to measure amperage. Since it would cost me more to drive back to the store than I paid for it, and I never measure amps, I didn't bother.
I've got one from over 30 years ago, works great!!
I'll replace the voltage reg.
:)
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I just checked again today and the tail light is working, but it didn't seem like the brake light was working. All connections look good. Going to check bulb next. Tried to look under the radatior, but nothing seemed out of place. Will have to get a closer look. Someone mentioned the cdi box? Doug
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CDI box only controls the ignition coil, nothing to do with the lights. Voltage Regulator maybe??