More Electrical Issues

[jamezgreen]

So my electrical drama continues. Noticed the other day my turn signals, brake light, are out. The running lights are all there just don't blink or activate with brake lever. My neutral and turn indicator lights are also out. All fuses are fine and I don't see any wiring problems. My headlight went out a month ago and I found a wire had shorted on top of the cylinder. I don't see any issues this time. Any ideas on where to look??

[bonehead]

Check the bulbs? T/S and brake light bulbs are double element. My T/S indicator and neutral lights kept burning out when I first bought the bike. But everything fine after a couple of months.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by jamezgreen

My neutral and turn indicator lights are also out. All fuses are fine......?

I think all the things you mentioned are on the same fuse.
If that is true, it would put the problem at or near that fuse.
(service manual available for download here)

Sometimes a fuse will look good when it is not.

[bonehead]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

I think all the things you mentioned are on the same fuse.
If that is true, it would put the problem at or near that fuse.
(service manual available for download here)

Sometimes a fuse will look good when it is not.

Easy's right. Check not only the center part of the fuse but also at the top lt and rt sides where the two prongs come out at the top. If there is any black or burnt spots around there the fuse is no good. Also, if you have a test light you can power up and check the fuse on top at the two spots coming out of the top.

[mrlmd1]

If a fuse did blow, then you have to trace wires back from it and see where your short is. The blown fuse may not be the problem but may give you a place to start looking.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by bonehead

Check not only the center part of the fuse but also at the top lt and rt sides where the two prongs come out at the top.

Easiest way is to use a multi-meter, set to resistance. The 200 ohm setting usually works fine.

The same thing applies with bulbs. Sometimes the filament looks o.k. but a quick check with the multi-meter will show if the bulb's packed in.

[jamezgreen]

Thanks guys, I'm gonna look at it tonight. I didn't even think to try another fuse just in case. I'll try that, look a little more at the wiring. Doubt all the bulbs would fail simultaneously so I'm leaning towards fuse or wiring. I have a voltmeter don't know if it has a resistance setting but i'll check it out.

[Sarris]

Just as a thought, check where the wiring harness is retained by a metal wire hoop on the left side of the steeing head. I've seen several instances where the wires have rubbed through or broke from flexing at that retainer hoop.

Mine rubbed through or broke from flexing and I lost all the front end lighting. It was a simple repair and I then installed a split type loom cover to prevent it from happening again.

Electrical problems can be a real bitch to find, so good luck.

:biggrin:

[burkbuilds]

I had the same thing happen on my 2005 GZ this Spring. I checked all the fuses, pulled them out, no problems, put them back and my lights all worked. Then I rode a few miles and went through a turn and all of a sudden, no turn signals again? Pulled the fuses once more and found the problem, in my case it was the little connector that the fuse slides into, it wasn't broken, it just slid down in the casing and wasn't making contact with the "prongs" of the fuse anymore. Pulled it back up into place and made sure the connection was secure on the bottom of the fuse and problem solved, all those pesky lights worked correctly once again. Hope this might be your problem as well since it was an easy fix. Good luck! And this was my turn signal and brake light that was the problem too!

[Water Warrior 2]

Electrical gremlins are a real pain. Sometimes there, sometimes not there. I would much rather walk out to my bike a find a nail in the tire. Much easier to determine the problem and not near as time consuming.