View Full Version : Speedo Light Out.
Water Warrior 2
09-22-2008, 08:45 AM
Just a little light but how do I replace it ?? The speedo illumination light went out the other day. Grumble grumble here. Anyone know how to get at it ?? Everything else works so it can only be the bulb by process of elimination. Thanks in advance.
Easy Rider
09-22-2008, 01:08 PM
Just a little light but how do I replace it ??
No problem, I think as I walk out to the garage.........Oops, looks like a big problem! :skull:
Not much space in there.
Could also be a loose wire.
Water Warrior 2
09-22-2008, 11:48 PM
Looks to be time consuming but hopefully simple. Time to look up an exploded view of the speedo and go from there.
Did you ever get this replaced? Mine went out and I was looking for some advice on where to begin.
Water Warrior 2
10-20-2008, 05:38 PM
Nope. Haven't even looked at it yet. Not much incentive to tear the speedo apart when Lynda rarely rides at night and rarely looks at the speedo anyway. I think I will wait for winter to settle in and the bike is in hibernation mode.
goneoutflying
10-24-2008, 02:56 PM
I am looking into a better way to light the speedo. I ride mostly at night and I can see my speed well but not my tripometer. This would be nice to see so I could know if I am running low on fuel. I will let you know if I figure something out. :)
alanmcorcoran
10-24-2008, 07:54 PM
Crazy idea: Before you take off, subtract the trip mileage from the odometer mileage. Then add 150 (or 160, or 180, if you are feeling lucky, punk.) MEMORIZE that number. Get on and ride. If your mileage starts to approach the number you memorized (you can see the odometer quite nicely) then you need to stop for gas. Repeat the above after you fill up.
You're welcome!
-The Guy That is Too Lazy To Modify His GZ.
Sarris
10-24-2008, 08:56 PM
My speedo light is out as well, but I've been to lazy to fix as I don't use the GeeZer much for night riding.
There are actually two speedometer light bulbs. You have to remove the back of the speedo shell to get at them. Just remove the one screw centered in the back of the chrome shell and slide it off to get to the bulbs.
Be sure to get the correct light bulb by wattage.
Look at page 23 of the parts manual for a good diagram.
:)
goneoutflying
10-29-2008, 01:41 PM
Crazy idea: Before you take off, subtract the trip mileage from the odometer mileage. Then add 150 (or 160, or 180, if you are feeling lucky, punk.) MEMORIZE that number. Get on and ride. If your mileage starts to approach the number you memorized (you can see the odometer quite nicely) then you need to stop for gas. Repeat the above after you fill up.
You're welcome!
-The Guy That is Too Lazy To Modify His GZ.
Thats usually what I do now, or i could switch to reserve when I run out of gas. However I'm thinking that one of my spedo lights is out because It is really dim, even the odometer is hard to read. But it is not much of a problem, just a minor inconvenience. I have other work on my gz that needs to be done first.
alanmcorcoran
10-29-2008, 02:03 PM
goneout - I like your quote! So apropos for our times of imaginary logic and wishful thinking!
Does anyone happen to know if there is an off-the-shelf replacement bulb for the speedo that can be purchased at Advance Auto parts or some place like that? I have the number for the turn signal/neutral bulbs (have replaced those a couple times) but now the speedo bulb is out. I have the bulb in hand so I'd rather replace it now instead of ordering online and waiting to put it all back together.
thanks
bonehead
10-15-2010, 01:10 PM
Does anyone happen to know if there is an off-the-shelf replacement bulb for the speedo that can be purchased at Advance Auto parts or some place like that? I have the number for the turn signal/neutral bulbs (have replaced those a couple times) but now the speedo bulb is out. I have the bulb in hand so I'd rather replace it now instead of ordering online and waiting to put it all back together.
thanks
I'd take it to the parts house and see if they can match it up.
dentheman
10-15-2010, 01:15 PM
I believe either the parts manual or maintenance manual (both downloadable from this forum) lists all the bulbs by wattage, find that info and take it to the parts store.
dentheman
10-15-2010, 02:00 PM
I am looking into a better way to light the speedo. I ride mostly at night and I can see my speed well but not my tripometer. This would be nice to see so I could know if I am running low on fuel. I will let you know if I figure something out. :)
One of those cheap little keyring flashlights should light up the tripmeter just fine.
thanks, I'll take the bulb to the store and see if I can match it by wattage
blaine
10-15-2010, 03:52 PM
thanks, I'll take the bulb to the store and see if I can match it by wattage
I replaced mine with brighter ones from auto parts store.Just took the old bulb with me to compare.I used a bulb that was slightly larger,and brighter.I can't give you the number of the bulb as I no longer have the bike.but it made a huge difference in the brightness at night.No more squinting to see the tripmeter.
:cool: :)
alantf
10-15-2010, 04:01 PM
Crazy idea: Before you take off, subtract the trip mileage from the odometer mileage. Then add 150 (or 160, or 180, if you are feeling lucky, punk.) MEMORIZE that number. Get on and ride. If your mileage starts to approach the number you memorized (you can see the odometer quite nicely) then you need to stop for gas. Repeat the above after you fill up
But make sure you don't forget to multiply it by your shoe size, then subtract your inside leg measurement.
Oh, and BTW, you can't see the odometer quite nicely. That's the whole point. On the GZ there doesn't appear to be a bulb to illuminate it. :roll: :) :cool:
blaine
10-15-2010, 04:18 PM
Oh, and BTW, you can't see the odometer quite nicely. That's the whole point. On the GZ there doesn't appear to be a bulb to illuminate it. :roll: :) :cool:
There are two bulbs to illuminate the speedometer,they are just not bright enough to illuminate the odometer very well.That's why I installed brighter ones,problem solved.Maybe that's what you meant.
:??: :2tup:
b1pig
10-16-2010, 08:39 AM
is the bulb a 195?
i bought a 2000 ZX7 last year. half the bulbs in the cluster were out and i could only read from 110mph up... :skull:
anyway, i pulled the cluster and removed all the bulbs. replaced them with the amber 4 LED bulbs from AutoZone. cluster is clearly legible and is not too bright. if its a 195 bulb, i highly recommend it.
dentheman
10-16-2010, 01:19 PM
Oooh--RED bulbs or LEDs, for that aircraft cockpit look.
68vette
10-16-2010, 08:43 PM
I am really new here but...will chime in...have built two street rods from the ground up...looks like it would be easier to to take the top headlight bolt out and loosen the bottom bolt and then tilt the headlight down...then you have good access to the speedometer....and much easier to change the bulb...mine is out also...so will be doing this in a week or so...
Jimmy in NC
dentheman
10-16-2010, 10:26 PM
is the bulb a 195?
i bought a 2000 ZX7 last year. half the bulbs in the cluster were out and i could only read from 110mph up... :skull:
anyway, i pulled the cluster and removed all the bulbs. replaced them with the amber 4 LED bulbs from AutoZone. cluster is clearly legible and is not too bright. if its a 195 bulb, i highly recommend it.
Do the LED replacements fit and work with no other modification needed?
blaine
10-16-2010, 10:46 PM
is the bulb a 195?
i bought a 2000 ZX7 last year. half the bulbs in the cluster were out and i could only read from 110mph up... :skull:
anyway, i pulled the cluster and removed all the bulbs. replaced them with the amber 4 LED bulbs from AutoZone. cluster is clearly legible and is not too bright. if its a 195 bulb, i highly recommend it.
Do the LED replacements fit and work with no other modification needed?
In my case I used brighter bulbs not L.E.D.s :rawk:
chandlerbingfl
10-21-2010, 03:34 AM
My bulb went out as well and have not had time to replace it.....What I did was get some glow in the dark paint and marked long lines at the 10s and short lines at the 5s. I don't ride much after dusk and more often than not this little trick does the job...
When I get around to replacing the bulb I'll just remove the paint...
chandlerbingfl
b1pig
10-23-2010, 03:37 AM
i dont think the LEDs were that much brighter than standard bulbs on my ZX-7, but the amber is FAR easier to read. in my experience, red looks nice, but isnt always as easy to read at a glance. less of an issue with the GZ since there isnt much in the way of lighting. only one gage with a sweep needle. another reason i stay away from red gage lighting is so i can immediately recognize an idiot light if it comes on and it not blend in.
for constant lighting such as a non-flashing marker light or backlighting for an instrument... if the bulb is a 194 and you replace it with a LED 194, no modification is needed at all. if you replace your turn signals, the resistance is different and will cause a super-rapid flash signal and you'd have to install an inline resistor to level that out.
Water Warrior 2
10-23-2010, 08:55 PM
i dont think the LEDs were that much brighter than standard bulbs on my ZX-7, but the amber is FAR easier to read. in my experience, red looks nice, but isnt always as easy to read at a glance. less of an issue with the GZ since there isnt much in the way of lighting. only one gage with a sweep needle. another reason i stay away from red gage lighting is so i can immediately recognize an idiot light if it comes on and it not blend in.
for constant lighting such as a non-flashing marker light or backlighting for an instrument... if the bulb is a 194 and you replace it with a LED 194, no modification is needed at all. if you replace your turn signals, the resistance is different and will cause a super-rapid flash signal and you'd have to install an inline resistor to level that out.
Inline resistors are a waste of a lot of money and time. Pick up an electronic auto flasher and use it to control the flash rate.
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