blowing fuses

sikgixxer · 05-27-2009, 06:56 PM

ok so a few days ago i had a blown fuse. this was the first time i had ever blown a fuse. so i replaced it. also i replaced the battery just because it was getting ridiculously bad. now after not riding for a few days i went on a pretty long trip today. again the same fuse blew. so i went out and bought a whole pack of these fuses. replaced it again and once again after about an hour of riding the same fuse went out. why is this happening and how can i stop it?

Veefer97 · 05-27-2009, 08:54 PM

You have a short somewhere in the circuit that the fuse blows in. I would look first at the after market turn signals as that seems to be the most likely problem area. It would help if you state which fuse blows or what part of the bike does not work without the fuse

sikgixxer · 05-27-2009, 10:48 PM

so its a 2003 gsxr 750. the fuse that keeps going out is the signal fuse. its a 15A fuse on the left side of the fuse box. it controls the entire dash except for the high beams light on the dash including tachometer, speedometer, temp, odometer, and all that stuff. i actually do not have turn signals, even though im sure thats what that fuse works also.

Papa Rocket · 05-28-2009, 08:47 AM

That sounds like you already have the first clue as to where to look for said ailment... The turn signal wires! If they were removed and taped together, they may be touching intermittently. be certan to tape each individually, then tape together and tuck somewhere safe from touching anything metallic.

R1oldguy · 05-28-2009, 04:37 PM

I don't know, but I kept blowing fuzes and it turned out to be a piece of bare metal on my tag light that kept touching the mount when I hit a bump.

Replaced it and all is well.

sikgixxer · 05-28-2009, 04:44 PM

thanks guys. ill see what i can do here.

Veefer97 · 05-28-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa Rocket

That sounds like you already have the first clue as to where to look for said ailment... The turn signal wires! If they were removed and taped together, they may be touching intermittently. be certan to tape each individually, then tape together and tuck somewhere safe from touching anything metallic.

Agreed, good place to start.

hybrid · 05-29-2009, 02:13 PM

if you have a stock turn signal laying around and some small blade style connectors you can use it as a fuse that "lights" up instead of blowing.

Then start shaking and moving your harness till the light comes on. Youll know where your short is and can chase it down.

I use this on any electrical problem I have to diagnose. Its the only way to save time and money when working on stuff like this.

The turn signal eats up the electricity instead of drawing too much current and blowing the fuse.

sikgixxer · 05-30-2009, 02:49 PM

ok so using the turn signal will basically eliminate the short?

BrotherGrim · 05-30-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hybrid

if you have a stock turn signal laying around and some small blade style connectors you can use it as a fuse that "lights" up instead of blowing.

Then start shaking and moving your harness till the light comes on. Youll know where your short is and can chase it down.

I use this on any electrical problem I have to diagnose. Its the only way to save time and money when working on stuff like this.

The turn signal eats up the electricity instead of drawing too much current and blowing the fuse.

Man that is a great tip. I have been using a test light like that, but it is such a pita to keep it connected. I am headed to the shop to put one together now. I don't need it right now, but it is too good an idea and if I don't do it, I will forget when I do.

Thanks

hybrid · 05-31-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sikgixxer

ok so using the turn signal will basically eliminate the short?

A "short" by definition means that you are getting a ground before the load which means that the electrical current is leaving the battery as fast and hard as possible.

The fuse is there because it has been designed to melt and create an OPEN or non connection if the current gets above its defined limit.

It doesnt eliminate the short persay but it puts a load so fast out of the batter that its now more like an uncontrolled ground (no switch) and the bulb eats the current.

Hope that makes sense

sikgixxer · 05-31-2009, 08:36 PM

yeah that clears it up perfectly. but heres some good news. i took care of it. lol fuses have stopped blowing and hopefully continues to stay that way. thanks for the help

RayOSV · 05-31-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sikgixxer

yeah that clears it up perfectly. but heres some good news. i took care of it. lol fuses have stopped blowing and hopefully continues to stay that way. thanks for the help

Sooo.... what fixed it?

Using the turn signal will likely "fix" the wiring problem that was causing the short. If there is still a short to ground, the fuse will blow again eventually.

hybrid · 06-01-2009, 01:06 AM

The turn signal is nothing more than a tool I didnt spill the info on that contraption intending for people to use it as a "fix"

Shorts that fix themselves only end up nuking wiring harnesses later down the road.

TownsendsFJR1300 · 06-02-2009, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hybrid

if you have a stock turn signal laying around and some small blade style connectors you can use it as a fuse that "lights" up instead of blowing.

Then start shaking and moving your harness till the light comes on. Youll know where your short is and can chase it down.

I use this on any electrical problem I have to diagnose. Its the only way to save time and money when working on stuff like this.

The turn signal eats up the electricity instead of drawing too much current and blowing the fuse.

_________________________________________________________________

That is an excellent idea!!! I have a spare directional that'l be hacked up with new terminal ends.., thank you!!!