Headlight fuse blowing

[mrv]

I purchased a 2012 Norge GT 8V two weeks ago with 26000 miles. I was able to ride it for one week but now the headlight fuse blows every time the bike starts. The first night I rode home from work when I dimmed the lights I had no low beams, they eventually came back on. I replaced the high/low relay and it was fine the rest of the week. The next week I went to go to work and I had no lights at all. I checked and the main headlight fuse was blown so I replaced it and it immediately blew. I replaced the other headlight relay and put in a new battery with the same results. After I start the bike the fuse blows instantly, if I start the bike and then insert the fuse the engine pulls down with a load and then the fuse blows. I have not torn the bike completely apart yet because I wanted to see if this has happened to anyone else to help narrow my search down.

[guzzisteve]

Sounds like a dead short up front at the light sockets, cheap plastic. Replace w/auto parts, heavy duty ceramic sockets fixes it most the time.
Not a bad job, pull the dash, dash surround, they are right there in the open.

[lti_57]

you know this but you have to isolate  the prob
 first thing i would try is  remove the lamps and see if it still blows
second thing is try disconnecting the left switch gear. then turn on switch see if it blows.
third thing remove relay  see if it blows
are these the stock lamps ? should be  55/65 w lamps in there
 are their driving lights connected ?
 do you have a volt ohm meter ?

[mrv]

After racking my brain on what might be the problem I think I figured it out. I replaced the headlight bulbs with Sylvania Silverstar bulbs. That has been the only thing I have changed. I put the old bulbs back in and so far so good. I would not have thought it would be the bulbs since they show to be the same wattage but it appears to be the culprit.

[lti_57]

After racking my brain on what might be the problem I think I figured it out. I replaced the headlight bulbs with Sylvania Silverstar bulbs. That has been the only thing I have changed. I put the old bulbs back in and so far so good. I would not have thought it would be the bulbs since they show to be the same wattage but it appears to be the culprit.

hey good job

[Kiwi_Roy]

After racking my brain on what might be the problem I think I figured it out. I replaced the headlight bulbs with Sylvania Silverstar bulbs. That has been the only thing I have changed. I put the old bulbs back in and so far so good. I would not have thought it would be the bulbs since they show to be the same wattage but it appears to be the culprit.

This puzzles me, "I put the old bulbs back in and so far so good", so what did you fix?
Is it possible there is a short in one of the sockets?
As Guzzisteve mentioned better after market lamp sockets are readily available.
Do you have driving/spot lights wired as accessories?
The fuse blows as the motor starts because that's when the relay closes.

[Moto]

I also don't think it's fixed. More likely that you temporarily separated the shorting connection in the bulb socket when you replaced the bulb. After a while it will probably reconnect and short again, I expect. Watts is watts, after all.

[Kiwi Dave]

I also don't think it's fixed. More likely that you temporarily separated the shorting connection in the bulb socket when you replaced the bulb. After a while it will probably reconnect and short again, I expect. Watts is watts, after all.

Exactly what I suggested on the other Guzzi website.  It ain't the bulbs.

[Moto]

Exactly what I suggested on the other Guzzi website.  It ain't the bulbs.

Good, it's official, then!

Wait, there's another Guzzi website?

Moto

[mrv]

Well so far so good, have ridden the last two nights to work without a glitch. Thanks for the replies, still in the process of learning what to look for and what is normal on the Norge.

[Guzzidad]

   I also had problems with Sylvania Silverstar bulbs, though it was in my GMC pickup. They didn't blow a fuse, but they would burn out after only a week. Went back to original style bulbs and haven't burned one out in years. I DO think you found the problem.

[Moto]

   I also had problems with Sylvania Silverstar bulbs, though it was in my GMC pickup. They didn't blow a fuse, but they would burn out after only a week. Went back to original style bulbs and haven't burned one out in years. I DO think you found the problem.

Well, I admit that I considered suggesting a bulb could have a short in it, which would cause the fuse to blow, as reported. But I've never encountered a bulb with an internal short instead of a broken filament. It's hard to imagine a manufacturing process that would produce shorted bulbs.

If the OP had said the bulb burned out right away I would have blamed the bulb. But a blown fuse is a different symptom, suggesting a short somewhere. It *could* be inside the bulb, making it the bulb's fault. It *could* be somewhere else in the wiring harness, leading to the bulb. It *could*, at least in principle, be an itsy bitsy piece of metal that wandered in between the bulb and the socket contacts. But my money would still be on the sockets if those are known to be of poor quality in the first place. Second bet: the wiring harness.

Moto

[Toecutter]

   I also had problems with Sylvania Silverstar bulbs, though it was in my GMC pickup. They didn't blow a fuse, but they would burn out after only a week. Went back to original style bulbs and haven't burned one out in years. I DO think you found the problem.

The worst I've heard of Sylvania bulbs is short lifespan, and I hear it quite a bit.

But, in this case, "fixed is fixed"... I hope it lasts. My gut says there's something else at play, but hey... if it works.

[Kiwi_Roy]

We all know that the spotlights on the Stelvio are a problem. I asked if they were fitted to this Norge?
The Norge has two headlights, 4 filaments all relying on one fuse.
Unfortunately the wiring diagram in the workshop manual is next to useless, does anyone have a decent schematic of the later model Norge they could send me.
Thanks
Roy

[twhitaker]

Might try a LED headlight and save some watts.

[MLR]

My 2012 Norge did the same thing a few hundred miles after I bought it new.  I think the problem was improperly seated bulbs. The ground wire for the bulb connects to a tab on the socket mounted to the head light shell. If the bulb is not seated against the socket securely it creates a short. I'm always extra careful when I install a new bulb and I have never had the problem reoccur 50,000 miles later.

[Bulldog9]

yeah the other Guzzi Forum... . you posted in you know... It's called Guzzi Tech... unless you have a twin with the same exact bike, mileage, issues.

I don't think the issue was the bulbs I think the issue is how you installed them probably didn't have good connection on one of the bulbs or a bulb not seated properly and not grounded l. Sometimes this will cause the fuse to blow. My guess is if you re install the silverstars again they'll probably work fine as long as you're careful. As others have said you could also have a failing headlight plug.

A couple others have mentioned the lifespan on those high-wattage halogen bulbs are terrible. If you want better lighting install some auxiliary lights wired properly with a fused relay.

Good, it's official, then!

Wait, there's another Guzzi website?

Moto

[Moto]

yeah the other Guzzi Forum... . you posted in you know... It's called Guzzi Tech... unless you have a twin with the same exact bike mileage issues.

I don't think the issue was the bulbs I think the issue is how you installed them...

It's irony, Bulldog. Intended as humor. I supposed it was Guzzi Tech that was the referent, but didn't know. I haven't regarded that site as worth much since its owner told me he would not allow postings critical of his products. He regards it as a marketing device. I haven't posted there in a good long time, and don't routinely visit.

I don't think i ever posted anywhere about a bike with "mileage issues," so I'm not really sure who you mean by "you" in your incoherent message. It looks to me as though it could be three different people by the end of the passage i quoted.

No bother though. Lots of fun to be had here on The Only Guzzi Website.

Moto

[Bulldog9]

Dude... It's no skin off my nose but you posted in Guzzi Tech on Sunday the same topic and issue same bike, mileage Etc.

I looked at my message from last night and laughed that's what I get for using voice to text after two Bourbons :-)

One of the things I really like about owning a Moto Guzzi is the variety of forms and resources that are available. It's a great Community all around. I'm not personally a big fan of Todd's demeanor or way he conducts business, but you can't fault Guzzi Tech for being a great source of information Technical and otherwise.

[Moto]

Dude... It's no skin off my nose but you posted in Guzzi Tech on Sunday the same topic and issue same bike, mileage Etc.

I looked at my message from last night and laughed that's what I get for using voice to text after two Bourbons :-)

One of the things I really like about owning a Moto Guzzi is the variety of forms and resources that are available. It's a great Community all around. I'm not personally a big fan of Todd's demeanor or way he conducts business, but you can't fault Guzzi Tech for being a great source of information Technical and otherwise.

You are full of something, probably not bourbon.

I didn't post on Guzzi Tech on Sunday, or any recent time at all.  I can't remember the last time I did.

I just wasted a couple of minutes to see if I could find an excuse for your apparent confusion, but I couldn't. As far as I can tell, not being really conversant with the site, there were only 11 posts on Sunday on the whole site. I've listed the topics, posters, and times below. I'm not on the list.

I don't appreciate being called a liar. If that's how you want to behave, it's on you, not me.  If you do have some excuse for confusion rather than malice, now's the time to make it.

So, do you?

Moto

[Bulldog9]

Yeah ok.... Here is the post. http://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/headlight-fuse-blowing.18990/

Perhaps you have an impersonator.

regardless I'm glad you got your headlight situation sorted out enjoy your Norge! They're great bikes.

You are full of something, probably not bourbon.

I didn't post on Guzzi Tech on Sunday, or any recent time at all.  I can't remember the last time I did.

I just wasted a couple of minutes to see if I could find an excuse for your apparent confusion, but I couldn't. As far as I can tell, not being really conversant with the site, there were only 11 posts on Sunday on the whole site. I've listed the topics, posters, and times below. I'm not on the list.

I don't appreciate being called a liar. If that's how you want to behave, it's on you, not me.  If you do have some excuse for confusion rather than malice, now's the time to make it.

So, do you?

Moto/John Logan, Madison, WI

**************************

List of topics, posters, and times of posting on Sunday, on Guzzitech, as found at
http://www.guzzitech.com/forums/find-new/9776065/posts?page=2

Suggestions For Book(s) on Moto Guzzi?
Clifton
Sunday at 9:45 PM

Another positive experience
just James
Sunday at 9:08 PM

Need some experienced ears
Bulldog9
Sunday at 9:06 PM

Headlight conversion for the 1100 Breva
tobinh
Sunday at 7:44 PM

Lean Fuel Condition
WindwardWarrior
Sunday at 4:43 PM

GTM V9/7 For Sale
GT-Rx�
Sunday at 4:37 PM

Breva 750
ividic
Sunday at 4:21 PM

Lithium ion battery for Lario v65
john zibell
Sunday at 4:09 PM

H4 bulb pin polarity
Dinsdale Piranha
Sunday at 9:01 AM

NEW ALARIS/Centurion/VDSTS Info - Instructions
guzzitnlover
Sunday at 8:01 AM

Milan, Mandello.
Robert Gibson
Sunday at 7:30 AM

*****************************************

[Zoom Zoom]

After racking my brain on what might be the problem I think I figured it out. I replaced the headlight bulbs with Sylvania Silverstar bulbs. That has been the only thing I have changed. I put the old bulbs back in and so far so good. I would not have thought it would be the bulbs since they show to be the same wattage but it appears to be the culprit.

I'll make a suggestion. I would examine the bulb sockets themselves. They may have gotten hot at some point and allowed the contacts to short together. Putting in or taking out a bulb **may** have been all that was needed to move things enough to make contact with each other and short out. I agree with others that a short inside a bulb is highly unlikely. Not impossible but pretty much unheard of. The Norge has plenty of watts in the electrical system to supply light and accessories.

John Henry

[Moto]

Yeah ok.... Here is the post. http://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/headlight-fuse-blowing.18990/

Perhaps you have an impersonator.

regardless I'm glad you got your headlight situation sorted out enjoy your Norge! They're great bikes.

I can't imagine what your problem is. That post is from a user "mrv". I am "moto", both here and at guzzitech.com. I don't own, and have never owned, a Norge.

I guess you are just a troll, huh? And a troll without honor, it seems. Go figure.

Moto

EDIT: Oh, now I notice that the original poster on this thread, here on Wildguzzi, is also "mrv." Perhaps you (and I mean you, Bulldog9) just need glasses or a bit more time to sober up.

I remain,

Moto

[Bulldog9]

Yup, glasses in order, thought I was replying to the OP. As you can see was same topic posted on both sites.

Apologies for the misunderstanding. Take a breath, your honor is intact.

[Moto]

Yup, glasses in order, thought I was replying to the OP. As you can see was same topic posted on both sites.

Apologies for the misunderstanding. Take a breath, your honor is intact.

Thanks for apologizing. I see it was a simple slip-up. You're forgiven, and my slur against your honor is withdrawn.

Moto

[lti_57]

After racking my brain on what might be the problem I think I figured it out. I replaced the headlight bulbs with Sylvania Silverstar bulbs. That has been the only thing I have changed. I put the old bulbs back in and so far so good. I would not have thought it would be the bulbs since they show to be the same wattage but it appears to be the culprit.

Still like to know, did it blow the fuse on both high beam and low beam ?
not sure how  putting lamps in would short it out, They basically only go on one way.
but its  still working for you ?

[Bulldog9]

Thanks for apologizing. I see it was a simple slip-up. You're forgiven, and my slur against your honor is withdrawn.

Moto

No worries. If I was on my computer I could have easily seen the OP was not you, but I was on my phone and the text of the posts are readable, but the other text including the Handle or Forum name is microscopic.  Beer/Coffee on me if we meet up at a Group meet sometime, or if you ride through the National Capitol/Mid Atlantic Region.

[Moto]

No worries. If I was on my computer I could have easily seen the OP was not you, but I was on my phone and the text of the posts are readable, but the other text including the Handle or Forum name is microscopic.  Beer/Coffee on me if we meet up at a Group meet sometime, or if you ride through the National Capitol/Mid Atlantic Region.

  Second round is on me, of course!

Moto