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View Full Version : Speedometer bulb gone



RantyDave
23rd February 2006, 19:22
The light in my speedometer popped it's clogs last night, so I thought I'd pop it out and get the bulb out so I could go get a replacement tomorrow. Not so.

The speedo lives in a chromed binnacle thing. I managed to remove it and the front came with it. However, once it was out it appeared to be a sealed unit - the front wouldn't come off (cromed metal bent around the edge) and the two screws on the back just caused the mechanism inside to rattle around. There is a wire going in, and it looks like it's attached via a rubber plug/socket thing but significant arguing with a pair of pliers failed to budge it at all. It bent and twisted quite nicely but didn't actually come out.

So, I refuse to believe that I have to replace the entire unit because the bulb has gone. Any idea what I'm supposed to do next?

Dave

wendigo
23rd February 2006, 19:30
There is a wire going in, and it looks like it's attached via a rubber plug/socket thing but significant arguing with a pair of pliers failed to budge it at all. It bent and twisted quite nicely but didn't actually come out.



My guess is a bit more brute force & ignorance would do the trick. Am not familiar with the model, but you seem to be going along the right lines. Sorry can't be of more use. Sure you don't have to just twist it through 90 degrees & the whole thing pulls out?

nadroj
23rd February 2006, 19:37
Rubber bung will have bulb in it. Try vaseline or rubber grease where it fits in housing - should pull straight out or 1/4 turn first. good luck

Flyingpony
23rd February 2006, 20:28
I've always held the view that when dash light bulbs stop working it's a signal that said vehicle is about to retire. So far that statement has proven to be true... :violin:

Good luck with the bulb. If you've gone through so much effort and it's still not out, you've missed something obvious. Can always just take the thing into a bike shop and ask them to replace it. If they break it, they'll have to fix it :msn-wink:

RantyDave
23rd February 2006, 21:39
Thanks guys. I'll squirt some ezy-lube or whatever I have to hand down the gap then get a bit more enthusiastic with it.

Dave

COP_B8
23rd February 2006, 22:20
Thanks guys. I'll squirt some ezy-lube or whatever I have to hand down the gap then get a bit more enthusiastic with it.

Dave

Why do all these forums end up in the gutter??? :tugger:

KLOWN
24th February 2006, 00:19
don't fix it, seems like a good excuse. Sorry officer I couldn't see my speed as the bulb has just blown on my speedo. (will only work at night)

Sniper
24th February 2006, 07:03
Just use force........ It seems to work well.

Pixie
24th February 2006, 22:21
Thanks guys. I'll squirt some ezy-lube or whatever I have to hand down the gap then get a bit more enthusiastic with it.

Dave
Unadvisable unless you want oily crap all over the inside of the speedo glass

FROSTY
24th February 2006, 22:30
Go to hardware shop--Purchace large hammer--go to bike -hit speedo with largfe hammer --if it breakes into small pieces go to step 2 if not--G back to hardware shop buy VERY large hammer and repeat step 1
Step 2 purchace new speedo ensuring the bulb fitted to it works--install on bike

OHH as an alternative -that rubber boot thing with wires--thats the light bulb.Use a sunglass or electronics screwdriver and slide it into the edge of the boot thing-itll break the seal and youll be able to pull the whole thing out.

Korea
24th February 2006, 22:34
Can't see the speedo, eh? Where's the problem? :dodge:

SPman
24th February 2006, 23:16
Try vaseline where it fits in housing always works for me..............

Ixion
24th February 2006, 23:19
Can't see the speedo, eh? Where's the problem? :dodge:

Obvious, I wuld have thought. if you can't see the speedo, you dont know what speed you are doing. So you might be going too slow

RantyDave
4th March 2006, 17:24
I've always held the view that when dash light bulbs stop working it's a signal that said vehicle is about to retire.
God DAMN you're good. I change the bulb, put it all back together, turn the ignition on (nothing catches fire) ... and the bike refuses to start. Completely. Choke, no choke, bit of throttle, no throttle, leaving it because it's flooded before trying again .... no go. For the first time ever and right on cue.

Bugger.

However, finishing off the half arsed service I did early in the week by finally getting round to changing the spark plug and we're off and going on the first turn. Sighs of relief all round :)

Oh, yeah, I fixed the bulb. As you guys suggested - a little more oomph was all it needed.

Cheers,
Dave