2006 VFR Keeps blowing headlights

GCMVFR · 07-25-2008, 12:44 AM

I have a 2006 VFR800. Over the last month it has blown 3 headlight bulbs (2 left 1 right). Looking through the forum, the RR, regulator rectifier is mentioned but it tends to point to older VFR’s, pre VTEC.
I have put a multimeter across the battery terminals and it’s showing a constant 14.8 v when the engine is running either idle, fast idle or revving.
My local dealer is shrugging his shoulders. Does anyone have any suggestions?

JTC · 07-25-2008, 02:22 AM

Are you wearing gloves on the change out. I've heard and read that you can't/shouldn't touch several types of the newer style bulbs out there; with your bare hands. In fact, there is a least one (maybe HID?) that even suggests that you use static resistant gloves for the install.

GCMVFR · 07-25-2008, 05:08 AM

Interesting... I've been cautious not to touch the glass but handled the base of the bulb.
I'll bear that in that in mind - thanks. I'll also keep an eye on whether they may be blowing at engine startup - I've only noticed them out by reflection so far.

porcupine73 · 07-25-2008, 05:23 AM

If the bulb is touched, oils from the skin get on the glass and then degrade it when it is hot. However I think this failure mode causes the glass to rupture, so if you are seeing just the filament blown but not a hole in the glass then it is probably not oil on the glass.

What's the max voltage supposed to be at idle? To me 14.8V seems high.

Y2Kviffer · 07-25-2008, 05:48 AM

According to the service manual.....
With the engine warmed up and hi beams on you should get 15.5v @ 5000 rpm at the battery terminals.

porcupine73 · 07-25-2008, 05:56 AM

Wow ok so 14.8V isn't high at all.

nvoges · 07-25-2008, 06:30 AM

I'm not completely sure, but 15.5 Volts should be too high. I don't think you should see anything above 14.8 V.

This is a pretty good tutorial to show how the charging system should be working:

http://www.electrosport.com/technica...ng-diagram.pdf

Revtune · 07-29-2008, 02:57 PM

Everything about touching the glass on the bulb is true. The real indicator that you have this issue is that the glass on the bulb will have a very big blister where you touched it after it has been heated up.

If that is not the case, I would reccomend going back to the OEM bulb. When I worked for a honda dealer in my early years in the motorcycle industry, the goldwing (GL1500) would destroy aftermarket H4 headlight bulbs. The reason is that not al H3/H4 bulbs are created equal. The OEM honda bulb has an extra support in the middle of the filament to stop a harmonic vibration that was known to kill the bulb. It was a common problem because nobody wanted to pay the 50 bucks for the honda bulb, but it cured the problem 100% of the time.

Take a look at the bulbs side by side and you will see the difference.

Hope that helps.

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07-25-2008, 12:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
GCMVFR Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Last Online: 07-31-2008 10:27 AM Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	2006 VFR Keeps blowing headlights I have a 2006 VFR800. Over the last month it has blown 3 headlight bulbs (2 left 1 right). Looking through the forum, the RR, regulator rectifier is mentioned but it tends to point to older VFR’s, pre VTEC. I have put a multimeter across the battery terminals and it’s showing a constant 14.8 v when the engine is running either idle, fast idle or revving. My local dealer is shrugging his shoulders. Does anyone have any suggestions?

07-25-2008, 02:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
JTC Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Last Online: 07-27-2008 05:20 AM Location: SOCAL - Find Me! My Ride: '06 VFR800 Interceptor Posts: 178 Thanks: 702 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Are you wearing gloves on the change out. I've heard and read that you can't/shouldn't touch several types of the newer style bulbs out there; with your bare hands. In fact, there is a least one (maybe HID?) that even suggests that you use static resistant gloves for the install. __________________ http://vfrworld.com/photos/data/503/vtecbadgexsmall.png

07-25-2008, 05:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
Y2Kviffer Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Last Online: Today 05:07 PM Location: Durham, NC - Find Me! My Ride: 2000 Honda VFR800 Posts: 159 Thanks: 2 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	According to the service manual..... With the engine warmed up and hi beams on you should get 15.5v @ 5000 rpm at the battery terminals. __________________ 2006 Stanley Cup Champions

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07-25-2008, 05:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
GCMVFR Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Last Online: 07-31-2008 10:27 AM Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Interesting... I've been cautious not to touch the glass but handled the base of the bulb. I'll bear that in that in mind - thanks. I'll also keep an eye on whether they may be blowing at engine startup - I've only noticed them out by reflection so far.

07-25-2008, 05:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
porcupine73 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Last Online: 09-03-2008 06:13 AM Location: Buffalo, NY My Ride: 2007 VFR800A RWB 2008 Honda CRF230L 1999 RI Max IV 6 wheel amphibious View my Photo Gallery Posts: 190 Thanks: 43 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	If the bulb is touched, oils from the skin get on the glass and then degrade it when it is hot. However I think this failure mode causes the glass to rupture, so if you are seeing just the filament blown but not a hole in the glass then it is probably not oil on the glass. What's the max voltage supposed to be at idle? To me 14.8V seems high.

07-25-2008, 05:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
porcupine73 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Last Online: 09-03-2008 06:13 AM Location: Buffalo, NY My Ride: 2007 VFR800A RWB 2008 Honda CRF230L 1999 RI Max IV 6 wheel amphibious View my Photo Gallery Posts: 190 Thanks: 43 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Wow ok so 14.8V isn't high at all.

07-25-2008, 06:30 AM	#7 (permalink)
nvoges Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Last Online: Yesterday 09:21 AM Location: Columbus, OH - Find Me! My Ride: 1998 VFR View my Photo Gallery Posts: 84 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I'm not completely sure, but 15.5 Volts should be too high. I don't think you should see anything above 14.8 V. This is a pretty good tutorial to show how the charging system should be working: http://www.electrosport.com/technica...ng-diagram.pdf

07-29-2008, 02:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
Revtune Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Last Online: 07-29-2008 07:59 PM Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Everything about touching the glass on the bulb is true. The real indicator that you have this issue is that the glass on the bulb will have a very big blister where you touched it after it has been heated up. If that is not the case, I would reccomend going back to the OEM bulb. When I worked for a honda dealer in my early years in the motorcycle industry, the goldwing (GL1500) would destroy aftermarket H4 headlight bulbs. The reason is that not al H3/H4 bulbs are created equal. The OEM honda bulb has an extra support in the middle of the filament to stop a harmonic vibration that was known to kill the bulb. It was a common problem because nobody wanted to pay the 50 bucks for the honda bulb, but it cured the problem 100% of the time. Take a look at the bulbs side by side and you will see the difference. Hope that helps.

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