Speedo bulb keeps blowing out

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#1 Unread post by **MrGompers** » Sat May 06, 2006 9:14 pm

I have a 2005 Honda Shadow 600 deluxe. I know this is a small prob, but its annoying as hell. The lite on the speedo keeps blowing out. I replaced it twice already, so its not the bulb. I would imagine its shorting out somewhere, but have no clue how to find the short. All the other lites on the bike are working including the indicator lites that are on the speedo (oil & temp) And yes I have checked the fuses.

Oh the lite doesn't blow out right away. Something must be getting jostled around during normal driving which is causing it to blow out.

I'm putting this out there in the rare chance someone else had the same prob on a Honda.

TechTMW · #2 Unread post by **TechTMW** » Sun May 07, 2006 8:17 am

What's the condition of the light bulb after it's burned out? (Blown filament, silver glass, black glass, cracked ... etc)

ElectroKen · Sun May 07, 2006 11:27 pm

There is no possible "short" on your bike that could repeatably blow 1 specific light bulb. A bad voltage regulator could take out a few bulbs but it would boil your battery to death as well in the process. It has to be a vibration issue that is unique to that bulb location. Is anything touching the bulb that shouldn't be?

One possible way around the problem would be to use an LED replacement. My puny TW200 had a healthy appetite for speedo bulbs (definitely vibration). I used an LED replacement and it will last until the next ice age.

Mon May 08, 2006 11:39 am

ElectroKen wrote:There is no possible "short" on your bike that could repeatably blow 1 specific light bulb. A bad voltage regulator could take out a few bulbs but it would boil your battery to death as well in the process. It has to be a vibration issue that is unique to that bulb location. Is anything touching the bulb that shouldn't be?

One possible way around the problem would be to use an LED replacement. My puny TW200 had a healthy appetite for speedo bulbs (definitely vibration). I used an LED replacement and it will last until the next ice age.

I agree it's prolly a vibration issue. I'm not having any issues with other bulbs on the bike. The LED replacement sounds like a good idea. Do you know of any websites that sell these bulbs ? Or maybe it's something I can find at a car parts store such as napa ? The bulbs specs are 12v 3.4w
#158 (I assume the 158 indicates the type of bulb it is. As it's done this way with cars)

Mon May 08, 2006 11:46 am

TechBMW wrote:What's the condition of the light bulb after it's burned out? (Blown filament, silver glass, black glass, cracked ... etc)

I've been thru 3 bulbs so far.

1st. The original OEM bulb was partially blacked out.
2nd. Bulb was completely blacked out.
3rd. Bulb was completely blacked out again.

I haven't noticed any blown filiments or cracked glass. I can take a closer look tho.

Both the 2nd & 3rd bulbs lasted less than 100 miles of driving.

ElectroKen · Mon May 08, 2006 11:27 pm

MrGompers wrote: The LED replacement sounds like a good idea. Do you know of any websites that sell these bulbs ? Or maybe it's something I can find at a car parts store such as napa ? The bulbs specs are 12v 3.4w
#158 (I assume the 158 indicates the type of bulb it is. As it's done this way with cars)

The 158 is a wedge-based cousin of the more common 194 bulb (IIRC). Here is one possible source of LED replacements:

http://autolumination.com/194.htm

The inverted lens type works pretty well for instrument lighting, though I see they have a newer, more expensive variant designed just for instruments. Just remember that these LEDs only pass current in one direction. If they don't light when you install them, unplug them, rotate 180 degrees, and plug 'em back in.

#7 Unread post by **MrGompers** » Tue May 09, 2006 8:07 am

Thanx for the responses guys. It looks like the honda dealer has been selling me the incorrect wattage bulbs. I have the correct one now & I'll try it out.