Stelvio running light gremlin

[Lee Davis]

Steve Kranz in Ohio was kind enough to bring my attention to a problem with Stelvio running lights. As he said:
"the auxiliary lights can leave you stranded.  The vibration will abrade the insulation, and when the wires short the take the whole ship down.  Maybe it's been corrected on the 2016, but MG seems to keep on with their electrical chaos despite the evidence...Mine is a 2013, and when I got it with 3K on the odometer and opened the light housings, the wires were nearly visible through the insulation.  I went with some reasonable LED replacements and love them."   
     I went out and did a quick check of the starboard light and there was definitely a problem waiting to happen. I shall repair it and pad the wires. I had trouble with the focus, but you can see the edge of the dark spade terminal that has worn through to the metal.   Thanks, Steve.



image hosting for ebay

[Psychopasta]

What is it with Guzzi and electrics? A short in a lighting circuit stops the whole machine? Instead of, say, just blowing the lighting circuit fuse?  :Beating_A_Dead_Hors e_by_liviu

- P

[guzzisteve]

Nothings changed in 50yrs, the wire insulation on my 700 wires that go around under the frame by the battery tray will wear through too, BUT it's 50yrs old. Will the new bikes be around at 50?

[Kiwi_Roy]

Moto Guzzi
Making Electricians out of riders for 95 years.


Sent from my shoe phone!

[sidmonsters]

Pleased to have finally been of some use mechanically speaking on this board...only because I learned from the folks on this board and passed it on!
Steve
PS--the big question is why why why Luigi keeps putting these on the newer models given the long history of problems.  Makes no sense.  Still love the marque but WTF?

[redhawk47]

You need to put in a fuse for the aux light; if it shorts out it will blow the main fuse and prevent the battery from changing, leaving you stranded. One for each light.
This is a plug-and-play part (two required) or you can do your own:
https://www.af1racing.com/store/Scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=75471

[Zoom Zoom]

I must say it bothers me a little that everyone seems ready to throw Guzzi under the bus on this. The actual piece of wire that rubs through is the tail of wire that sticks off the bulb itself. So, when the bulb gets replaced, the tail needs extra insulation. Why doesn't anybody bitch about Sylvania or other bulb manufacturers?

Now, yes that circuit could have been separately fused, or you can simply add additional insulation to the wire. Being a Stelvio owner, I know what it is all about. I have had first hand experience with it. Adding insulation takes what, 10 minutes and no tools, unless you want snips to cut tape.

Since I added insulation to the lead off the bulb, I have not had any more trouble with it. I even prepped a couple extra bulbs for when one burns out but I have not needed them in 5 years. In those 5 years, the added insulation is holding up well I might add. Did I mention just how easy it is to get to the bulb?

Really folks, the fix is cheap and easy. Just deal with it. It IS important to be aware of it so it can be resolved, but really, the ongoing diatribe about this is silly! Put your big boy pants on and fix it. 10 minutes and 20 cents worth of tape.

John Henry

 

[Lee Davis]

I am the original poster of this thread, and I certainly don't mean to disparage Moto Guzzi. But this is a brand new bike for me and I am happy that someone pointed out the problem... I would not have known otherwise. I have already fixed the problem on both lights, but I think I shall install the fuseable links also. I am delighted with the bike!

[sidmonsters]

Obviously not throwing MG under the bus, John, but I challenge you to defend the factory not doing something--anything--about this obvious, years-old problem.  I grant you that the fix ain't rocket science, but I stumbled on the potential problem as a noob MG owner while banging around on this very board looking at any and all Stelvio discussions from years gone by.  Simple fix? Sure.  Simple to just go off on the adventures we bought the bike for and end up dead in the water miles from home for no apparent reason? Sure.  I was just sharing to hopefully keep Lee from enjoying more of the beautiful New Mexico scenery than he bargained for when he lit out on his new ride, which you and I know he will love love love.  You have certainly given me wise input about my Stelvio...my intent was to do the same for Lee.  And when you think of it: should any dealer send a Stelvio out the door without informing the purchaser of this problem?  How'd you like to be the dealer and explain why the factory hasn't addressed this for so long...it's hard to do.  Ok, I'll stop.  Obviously this bugs me as much as carping about it bugs you
And I never even had the thing shut down on me.  Blind luck, I would say...

[Zoom Zoom]

Lee it was the responses more than your original post.

Sidi, I cannot disagree with you, but again, Hella makes the lights, and whomever makes the bulbs, and it is frustrating. I guess that since the carc is dead, their (Guzzi) fixing it is a moot point.

ZZ

[HarveyMushman]

I am the original poster of this thread, and I certainly don't mean to disparage Moto Guzzi. But this is a brand new bike for me and I am happy that someone pointed out the problem... I would not have known otherwise. I have already fixed the problem on both lights, but I think I shall install the fuseable links also. I am delighted with the bike!

It's a known issue.  Just put an in-line fuse on each light's power supply.  Do it yourself or buy the plug-in-play kit from AF1.   

Once sorted you can begin waiting for the bulbs to vibrate themselves to death.  Begin shopping LED replacements now. 

[Psychopasta]

I don't think putting a fuse in a power line is too much to ask. Electrical components can fail for any number of reasons, but for that to take the whole bike down? If a component fails you can blame the manufacturer for sure. But if in so doing it takes the whole machine with it, that's Guzzi. And this is not an isolated issue.

I do love my Guzzis, and the components Guzzi uses are usually top-notch. But they do themselves no services with their approach to wiring it all together.

- Pasta

[kirb]

I make those AF1 kits based on the need for this. I think AF1 installs this on their bikes prior to pickup. I use AF1 because they are WAY better set up for eCommerce (and I already have a job). I'd have to check, but I'm almost sure I have made at least 200 of these fuses since I started back in 2012-13...

Here is how to do it yourself with all the links and part numbers: http://stelviontx.blogspot.com/2013/05/fog-lamp-fuse-holder.html