No headlights! with fix.

[yamabob]

I just did a trip from Chicago to North Carolina and lost both headlights on my first day. My buddy said he saw me with only one headlight working and then none. Luckily it was daytime and I have extra aftermarket lights. First check was if I had power to the bulb connections, no power. Once we hit our first stop for the night, I pulled the side panel and checked the fuse, it was blown. So, I'm thinking the worst that I have a melted wire or one rubbed through somewhere. Decided to check the headlight bulbs, found the left bulb was burnt out. Disconnected the bulb connectors, put in a new fuse and the fuse didn't pop. Connected the right headlight bulb, still good. Bought new headlight bulbs at the local Walmart and all is good.
So, the bottom line is the left bulb popped and shorted out the fuse. Always carry extra fuses, small volt meter, electrical connectors, extra wire and tools. If you have extra accessories such as lighting or heated grips, label all of your wires. It will make your life easier when hunting for problems. I wanted to post this because it might help someone else while they're on the road and searching for solutions on their phone.

 

[skoron]

Same thing happened to me. I had realized I had lost one headlight but since I have halogen spots/fog lights was in no rush to change. Then I noticed no headlights. So changed both bulbs and still no headlights? Took the side panel off and headlight fuse was blown. Put a new one in and all good. Never had that happen before on other bikes. Thanks for sharing.

Skoron

 

[~TABASCO~]

Ive seen this many many times.... I believe there is a "head light wire harness recall" for a lot of Tenere VIN numbers. A quick call to a dealer or on line might answer that for you.

If you would like to end this issue you can add some HID bulb kit and get a lot more light and take the load off the stock wire harness with the use of a relay. I recently did this and with the use of the supplied relay set up, im now only using one of the "power on" wires from the factory light. Its only using this as a low volt trigger. The out put is amazing and I have no worry with wiring harness, bulbs, fuses, Etc...... The first cheep kit I got lasted me ten years, this second kit was a much better quality and has been amazing. If you're interested PM me and I can direct you to what I purchased.
NOTE: after doing A LOT of homework recently of modern LED versus HID for the Tenere, I ended up going with HID again. One day LED will be the only way to go and its defiantly heading that way. But as far as quality light out put in our factory headlights (and the style they are) the HID is still better IMOP. Im not talking about the Ebay cheep stuff either, I was looking at the good stuff on both sides....

 

[WJBertrand]

I’m interested in your HID set up. I’ve not been too impressed with aftermarket LEDs so far.


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[~TABASCO~]

I’m interested in your HID set up. I’ve not been too impressed with aftermarket LEDs so far.


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These have been pretty awesome-

Morimoto Elite / 5000K / 35W / H7B bulb. / ( I think the standard bulb is the H7A, our bikes work better and cast less shadow with the "B", if I remember correctly)

 

[yamabob]

Do you need new caps or have to modify the stock ones?

 

[WJBertrand]

These have been pretty awesome-

Morimoto Elite / 5000K / 35W / H7B bulb. / ( I think the standard bulb is the H7A, our bikes work better and cast less shadow with the "B", if I remember correctly)

View attachment 81398

Thanks, can't tell from the photo, but is there a way to maintain/preserve the seal on the back of the headlight assembly? Also, if you don't mind sharing, what was the cost of the set up?

 

[~TABASCO~]

Thanks, can't tell from the photo, but is there a way to maintain/preserve the seal on the back of the headlight assembly? Also, if you don't mind sharing, what was the cost of the set up?

Yes, it uses the factory back caps. If you need help I can walk you through it. Really easy. No extra parts & it’s still sealed.
I don’t remember, I got a few sets for other people and myself when they had some big sale. This product gets overall good reviews and this company often has sales or “coupon codes” or something. I do remember they are not the $30 set off eBay or that ‘type’.

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . Also, if you don't mind sharing, what was the cost of the set up?

Amazon is showing $186.

 

[WJBertrand]

Yes, it uses the factory back caps. If you need help I can walk you through it. Really easy. No extra parts & it’s still sealed.
I don’t remember, I got a few sets for other people and myself when they had some big sale. This product gets overall good reviews and this company often has sales or “coupon codes” or something. I do remember they are not the $30 set off eBay or that ‘type’.

This sounds like what I want to do. Do you by chance have a photo showing how the caps remain sealed or can you explain? I'm imagining a couple holes need to be drilled? On the Morimoto site the guy on the chat (kenny) is telling me I need a high/low motorcycle kit but I'm not sure that's correct.

 

[WJBertrand]

OK, I think I figured this out. This photo shows how the wires pass through the cap using a large included grommet. I think the bare blade connectors on the bulb side insert into the OEM connectors in each headlight that would normally plug into the bulb. So I just need to hog out the correct sized hole on the back of the bulb cover to accommodate that grommet? On Amazon so far all I am seeing are kits with the H7A bulbs. I'm looking at this kit:

Amazon.com: Morimoto H7 Elite HID Kit System with XB35 35W Ballasts and XB35 H7 5500K Bulbs : Automotive

Buy Morimoto H7 Elite HID Kit System with XB35 35W Ballasts and XB35 H7 5500K Bulbs: Electrical - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[~TABASCO~]

This sounds like what I want to do. Do you by chance have a photo showing how the caps remain sealed or can you explain? I'm imagining a couple holes need to be drilled? On the Morimoto site the guy on the chat (kenny) is telling me I need a high/low motorcycle kit but I'm not sure that's correct.

Someone has posted the pass through picture. That’s how you do it.
You DO NOT need the hi low kit. Just the standard, the motorcycle factory lights have the “high low” built in.

 

[~TABASCO~]

OK, I think I figured this out. This photo shows how the wires pass through the cap using a large included grommet. I think the bare blade connectors on the bulb side insert into the OEM connectors in each headlight that would normally plug into the bulb. So I just need to hog out the correct sized hole on the back of the bulb cover to accommodate that grommet? On Amazon so far all I am seeing are kits with the H7A bulbs. I'm looking at this kit:

Amazon.com: Morimoto H7 Elite HID Kit System with XB35 35W Ballasts and XB35 H7 5500K Bulbs : Automotive

Buy Morimoto H7 Elite HID Kit System with XB35 35W Ballasts and XB35 H7 5500K Bulbs: Electrical - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

View attachment 81481

The H7A will work, but I believe the 'A' is where the wire that is next to the bulb is in the usable reflective surface used by our lights.... The 'B' bulb has this wire next to the light on the opposite side and will cast less shadow and more useable light reflected in the housing...

Be careful when you "hog" out the hole, you want it the exact same size as the ID of the grommet, or a small touch smaller, FOR A GOOD SEAL.

What I normally do is drill a hole that is smaller than what I need, then I come in with a Dremel and then maybe a small file to dial in the final OD. Im checking and re checking the OD / ID .

Also, if you have not installed these type bulbs before, DO NOT TOUCH the glass bulb at all. The oil on your hands will stain the glass, it could also create a hot spot on the bulb, Etc.. Try not to touch the bulb to anything, work bench, hands, motorcycle, Etc.

 

[WJBertrand]

Thanks for the tips, yes it's always easier to take more material off than to add it back! I had a set of HIDs on my previous ST1300 and they were amazing. I really thought LED was the next great thing but unless they are factory from the dealer, they don't seem to be all that. I've also had a couple of LED lamp emitters burn and fade. I have another set of LEDs on the bench that I think I will try as the ones in there now are not producing much light. Under city lights at night, I can't even really tell they're on.

 

[~TABASCO~]

Thanks for the tips, yes it's always easier to take more material off than to add it back! I had a set of HIDs on my previous ST1300 and they were amazing. I really thought LED was the next great thing but unless they are factory from the dealer, they don't seem to be all that. I've also had a couple of LED lamp emitters burn and fade. I have another set of LEDs on the bench that I think I will try as the ones in there now are not producing much light. Under city lights at night, I can't even really tell they're on.

In these "type" headlight housings that we currently have on the Tenere, I feel the HID is the best solution. Ive seen MANY of each so I have a understanding about the differences and 'out put' of each. So I too have thrown in another (much better) set of HID..... When it comes to external specifically engineered LED driving lights, Ive stuck with Baja Designs for last 20 years or so. Ive put the big Bajas to the "Pepsi" challenge all day, any day and have been extremely happy over the years... Ive made many post about having the the correct amount of light for where someone might be riding. IMOP, I feel that this "amount" of light I have on my bike for where I ride has probably saved my life on several occasions... IMOP, how do I put a price on safety? The last time I checked I tried to add up the lumens from the HID and the Baja and it was like 12-14K lumens (14 separate bulbs) ... Enough for pitch black desert riding or pitch black dirt roads over mountains on a few of the BDR's......

Im sure you will enjoy the new HID set up... If you need ANY assistance just let me know...