Meter bulbs

Imkruzen · June 13, 2009, 11:10:04 PM

I've been reading alot on this site and appreciate all the information available, but now I find myself asking a question.

I bought this 84 FJ a couple of weeks ago and tonight I found out that the speedo and tach bulbs are burnt out. I tried to reach up underneath, but no luck to get my paws in there. I'll have to pull the fairing to pop them out.
I was wondering if anyone knows what the bulb number is. I wanted to go with aftermarket bulbs rather than OEM parts. I can only find that they are 3.4W and there's 3 of them. I do have the OEM numbers. Just wondering if they are available at auto supply stores? Means I can get them tomorrow.

Thanks

Marsh White · June 13, 2009, 11:51:40 PM

The bulb number is 158. Yes, they are available at auto parts stores (usually in 4 packs from what I've seen). I don't exactly remember how many of them there are in the whole cluster...around 8 or 10 I think. Get three 4 packs of them. Replace them ALL while you have the fairing off.

rvnmaniac · June 14, 2009, 08:32:47 AM

DASH LIGHTS - 194LL by Sylvania

Imkruzen · June 15, 2009, 11:57:13 AM

Hmmmm Which one is correct? I checked the numbers at the auto supply and the 158 is a special order. The 194LL was in stock. I don't want to put in too bright bulbs and melt the plastic. GE specs are in Lumens at 3W for the 194LL. There are several different Lumens at the same wattage. GE dosn't list any 158 bulbs.
Thanks Guys.

Marsh White · June 15, 2009, 12:22:09 PM

Go with what Henry said, the 194.

Imkruzen · June 15, 2009, 03:31:04 PM

Well I pulled the fairing. Went well, on and off. Pulled the gauge cluster off. Pulled all three gauge bulbs and replaced them. Bought the bulbs at Yamaha for $1.99ea. So if you want to take note of the part number, the ones I pulled out are YSF 158. Just wanted to be sure not to have to to this job twice for what the bulbs are worth. Next time I know for sure.
Thanks for your responses.

rvnmaniac · June 15, 2009, 08:15:18 PM

Could have saved yourself some money with the LL194s

pdxfj · June 15, 2009, 11:28:20 PM

I put the 194's in my bike. No ill effects.

Now.. the OEM Yamaha 1157's are worth the money. That extra support piece in the middle of the filaments makes a huge difference in the longevity of the lamp.

Imkruzen · June 16, 2009, 08:55:44 AM

I had the 194LL in my hands

. I was looking on the net to try and find the spec on the Lumens of the 194 and the 158 to see if they were the same , but I couldn't find that info. Out of the 4 FJ's I've ownned I never had to change the bulbs, so it doesn't seen like a issue of bulbs burning. Next time I'll try thr 194LL. I did have a few tail and signal light bulbs burn.
I was also looking at LEDs which are available and have a 10,000 hr. rating. They have a dispersion angle of up to 120°. Has anyone experienced using LEDs anywhere on the lights? There was also a whiter brighter headlamp bulb avalable for $29.99, but not sure what part number is for our bikes (84).

Arnie · June 16, 2009, 09:14:44 AM

Quote from: Imkruzen on June 16, 2009, 08:55:44 AM
There was also a whiter brighter headlamp bulb avalable for $29.99, but not sure what part number is for our bikes (84).

All year FJ's use a H4 60/55 headlamp bulb. There are a number of blue bulbs around that claim to give you more light, but it's mostly myth and slightly different eye response to the different color light.
You'll get WAY more benefit by fitting a relay system with larger guage wires to the headlamp.
You can do it yourself or several places have them already made up and you just plug them into the existing wires and connect to the battery.
This is one supplier: http://easternbeaver.com/Main/Products/H4_Kits/h4_kits.html

Cheers,
Arnie

rktmanfj · June 16, 2009, 09:18:43 AM

Quote from: Arnie on June 16, 2009, 09:14:44 AM
Quote from: Imkruzen on June 16, 2009, 08:55:44 AM
There was also a whiter brighter headlamp bulb avalable for $29.99, but not sure what part number is for our bikes (84).
You'll get WAY more benefit by fitting a relay system with larger guage wires to the headlamp.
You can do it yourself or several places have them already made up and you just plug them into the existing wires and connect to the battery.
This is one supplier: http://easternbeaver.com/Main/Products/H4_Kits/h4_kits.html

Cheers,
Arnie

+1

Randy T
Indy

Imkruzen · June 16, 2009, 10:25:22 AM

Looks brilliant.

pdxfj · June 16, 2009, 11:42:27 AM

I am using a GE Nighthawk H4 lamp in my bike with the relay upgrade. The lamp is about $10 or so less than what you quoted and has been in my bike for over 3 years and is still going strong. I used the Silverstar lamps for a short period of time as they only lasted about 6 months before burning out.

+1 to the relay upgrade. All the other lights on the bike will brighten up once you remove the load of the headlight from the stock wiring system.

rktmanfj · June 16, 2009, 06:03:04 PM

Quote from: pdxfj on June 16, 2009, 11:42:27 AM
I am using a GE Nighthawk H4 lamp in my bike with the relay upgrade. The lamp is about $10 or so less than what you quoted and has been in my bike for over 3 years and is still going strong. I used the Silverstar lamps for a short period of time as they only lasted about 6 months before burning out.

+1 to the relay upgrade. All the other lights on the bike will brighten up once you remove the load of the headlight from the stock wiring system.

That's about the same life I got out of the first Silverstar I put in after the relay mod. Unfortunately, it burned out at the ECSR last year, and all the Advance Auto down from the KOA had to replace it with was another Silverstar. It's still going, though, and is a bright sumbitch, a lot brighter than the first one. Someone at the rally said that they make those at two different places, and one of them makes junk.. with only subtle packaging differences between the two. For my part, I'm not gonna play light bulb roulette. I'll just get another brand.

Randy T
Indy

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