The rear signal lights keep burning out on my FXDB. The tail lights have been relocated, the wires were cut in that process. The wires were soldered back together and covered in heat shrink, so I don't think that's causing any of it.

Is it normal for incandescent bulbs to burn out all the time on bikes? It's not like it's expensive to replace them, a pair can be picked up for 55 cents, just annoying. One of the bulbs that just burned out was replaced about 2 months or less ago (2 or 3 thousand miles in that time).

Thanks for any input.

 

It's definitely not normal for them to burn out that fast - maybe corroded connections?

My '08 has over 96K and the only bulb that burnt out was the low beam at about 94K, the rest are all original bulbs.

 

They don't look corroded.

 

It's not like it's expensive to replace them, a pair can be picked up for 55 cents, just annoying. One of the bulbs that just burned out was replaced about 2 months or less ago (2 or 3 thousand miles in that time).
___________________
Villas Spain
Villa Spain

 

Did you have anything new to add?

 

I'm guessing he was pointing out that you're buying 28 cent bulbs. I know the MOCO sells theirs for $4 but they say there vibration isolated or some such ****. Are you buying the bulbs on the economy over here? I'm willing to bet that could be part of the problem.

 

I bought them at the base gas station. The one that was just replaced today, I got from the Harley dealer just up the road for 7,000W ($6.25) less than 2 months ago, which replaced a factory installed bulb. I'd think since it was the "real deal" it would have lasted longer, if in fact they are vibration resistant? We'll see how the automotive ones last, they are in both of my rear signal lights...now. Thanks for your input, I was thinking the post may have meant the same thing.

 

Do you ride in the rain very often? Do you wash your bike fairly regular? There's a couple holes in the backing plate that the MoCo sometimes doesn't do a very good job of sealing. Next time youre in there, take a look and see. A little silicone might help the situation.

You've probably already done it, but you might consider cleaning the bulb socket with some brake cleaner. Nothing stronger. Maybe even a cotton swab with some alcohol on it. Could be some nasty got in there and is shorting the bulb.

 

Poke, if this problem began after the signal relocation that is where I'd be looking. If the soldered connection has high resistance (you can check w/ a multimeter), that causes a voltage drop across the connection, increasing the amount of current (amps) the bulb draws, which can result in early failure.

 

Been in the rain quite a bit this year, also wash the bike pretty often to get the rain road grime off. Thanks for the info, I'll definately check that out. I've got some brake cleaner, I'll try spraying out the socket. The electrical connection points in the socket look clean where the bulb makes contact, but maybe there's something behind it. I'll pull the fixtures out and look back there.

The solder job is good to go. I made sure of that already, appreciate the comment though.