bizarre dash light function

Hi Folks,

I'm new on here, and to biking generally... as my first motorcycling conquest I purchased a '98 FiW... in Black, it's a lovely bike, I'm using it daily to the tune of around a hundred miles... (hence buying such a big bike to start out with before anyone says anything) I am however, experiencing some bizarre behaviour and was wondering if anyone else on here had seen this before and could shed any light / suggestions...

Last week one of the tail light bulbs went on me... the normal tail light element had blown. The odd thing was that suddenly I started to see the indicator lights and the full beam light on the dash start to glow dimly.
This is accentuated when I indicate, as in normal light it looks as though i'm indicating the opposite way! This only happens when I have the lights on, sidelights, dipped or full... makes no odds.

I swapped the tail light bulb with a rear indicator bulb as they are the same... so I had all my lights working, and got replacement from halfords. Trouble is, with the new bulb in and working properly. I'm still getting the weirdness on the dash.

I have checked all the connections at the front and rear lights for corrosion and proper contact. I have also cleaned the main ground to the frame, which has made no difference...

Anyone got any other ideas? Like I said, I'm a novice, so any (sensible) suggestions would be greatly received!

 

re:

Still getting this problem, can anyone provide any clues?

 

The R/R can cause all sorts of odd problems like this. I would replace it and do the mod from wiremybike.com

 

funny you should say that...

The R/R was replaced about 2 weeks before this problem began...

I've been on the phone to the dealer that replaced it and they seem to think there could be some corrosion on the circuits behind the dials... Is that likely?

:unsure:

 

Possible, but I don't know...
I would start checking voltages at key connections. Even though the r/r was changed, it may still be an issue, or the old one caused damage that was not fixed.

 

I've read a bunch of threads about reported electrical problems and they usually come up after an R/R is replaced or the warranty work is done or after a dealer has touched the bike . Check all your connectors as well your voltages and make sure the wires that go into the connectors are actually tight inside. The connectors could be connected but if the wires aren't locked in the connectors then they may not be contacting properly.

 

cheers guys, I'll have a look and see what I can discover, I'm guessing you mean I ought to check the connctors for the R/R as well as th circuits that manifest the problem...

I'll have a go any way... thanks again...

 

bulbs

I noticed you said you swapped the rear bulbs around, the rear signal bulbs and the rear brake/tail bulbs are not the same. the brake/tail and the front signal bulbs are the same, but not the rear. (at least not stock)
The wrong bulbs will cause all kinds of havoc.
Hope this helps

 

bulb swappage

Yeah, it's probably not clear, but I was out and about when the rear bulb went... all of my bulbs in the rear light housing happened to be the same so I swapped the busted stop/tail over. Then when I passed a parts shop on my travels I replaced the duff one with a like for like replacement.

So, for clarity all bulbs are fully functional... whether they are or aren't stock I'm not qualified to say, but as the bike's ten years old, unlikely to be stock IMO. Besides, the problem only seemed to arise after the bulb busted...

Anyway, looks like she's going to have to go get taken a good 80 miles to the Honda dealer in the group I bought it through for some freebie work... I can't find her ailment :frown: and the Triumph guys seem somewhat confused by her... ho hum.

 

Hi, strangely enough i've got same problem. Did you get it fixed? My bike has been stripped at a garage and there seems to be a PCB problem but wanted to know if this is the main issue or if there is more in store. Thanks

 

I'm actually in the process of fixing it now... stripped the bike down at the weekend in preparation for MOT. It certainly appears to be the hideously badly designed flexible circuit board. It's corroded all over the place. to the extent that one of the circuits actually has a hole in it. I beleive this along with a knackered bulb or two causes the issue.

I've ordered a new part from a local Honda dealer at a cost of about £210 - they apparently don't supply the flexible board on it's own anymore. It comes on the white plastic section. All things being equal, I should get the part for this weekend - so, hopefully I'll have an update later in the week...

Breakers do seem to have them for around the £160 - £250 mark, and obviously you get the clocks and lcd panel as well then...

Good luck with yours!

 

yep, mighty pricey for a few strips of copper coated in plastic! In desperation I came across this link whilst browsing earlier on a different website..ahem. It has a diy fix to the problem and if it's not too late, it may save you a few quid ...

'98 VFR800FiW to '01 VFR800Fi1 Indicator Warning, Dash Light and LCD Problems - Honda VFR Club

Cheers

 

Fixed! (at last)

Hi Folks,

Just for completeness I thought I'd quickly post the solution and a little tip.

Basically, the problem in my case did boil down to the flexible printed circuit board behind the clocks. As previously stated I forked out for a new circuit board... I later found this... the same thing from david silver spares... but for A LOT less than I paid!

Hope it saves some of you some cash!