Interesting fuse problem

ChickenRun · July 2nd, 2013, 06:43 PM

I've got an interesting fuse problem that I can't figure out. I've been through 5 10a fuses in two days, where at first the fuse would work but after a mile down the road it blows. To fix this I electrical taped all the open wires under seat, but now I have a weird problem: If I turn the bike on but not the engine and hit the signal switch, the fuse blows instantly. But If I turn the bike on AND the engine then hit the signal switch the fuse works but only for one side (if I change to the other side it blows). I'm stumped.

rojoracing53 · July 2nd, 2013, 06:47 PM

Your bikes totaled, just go buy another one

ChickenRun · July 2nd, 2013, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

Your bikes totaled, just go buy another one

lol please god no I just got it 4 months ago

Dano · July 2nd, 2013, 06:59 PM

forget about it go buy a R6!

as with all electrical problems you are going to have to investigate. it might be as simple as 1 wire has the insulation rubbed off and the bare wire is hitting metal somewhere. good luck electrical probs suck

ChickenRun · July 2nd, 2013, 07:07 PM

If I get a 600 it will be a blue 06 ZX6R them thangs are beautiful.

Well is there any specific area where shorts are more frequent? I was surprised the first time I took the seat off to install a new relay how many wires weren't protected.

tc.young · July 2nd, 2013, 07:16 PM

buy a 50a fuse!

if it blows with ignition on (shouldn't matter if engine's running) then it's a short before the switch (the one you use to indicate signal), could either be between power to turn relay or from turn relay to switch.

if it only happens when you signal, then it appears it would be from green which controls the left signal or gray which controls the right. looks like black/yellow is ground.

Trailerboy531 · July 2nd, 2013, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChickenRun

If I get a 600 it will be a blue 06 ZX6R them thangs are beautiful.

Yeah but they have terrible fuse problems

ChickenRun · July 2nd, 2013, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tc.young

buy a 50a fuse!

if it blows with ignition on (shouldn't matter if engine's running) then it's a short before the switch (the one you use to indicate signal), could either be between power to turn relay or from turn relay to switch.

if it only happens when you signal, then it appears it would be from green which controls the left signal or gray which controls the right. looks like black/yellow is ground.

50a? I wouldn't call myself electrically competent but that sounds like a little too much. Since the fuse only blows when I signal, what can I do about those grey and green wires? I've already coved the whole bundle of wires connecting to the box.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trailerboy531

Yeah but they have terrible fuse problems

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

ChickenRun · July 3rd, 2013, 11:14 AM

So a larger fuse would fix my problem? 15a maybe? I wanna make sure before I accidentally set my baby on fire.

indr · July 3rd, 2013, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChickenRun

So a larger fuse would fix my problem? 15a maybe? I wanna make sure before I accidentally set my baby on fire.

Probably won't. But try it. Instead of popping the fuse, it might fry the load.

agent of orange · July 5th, 2013, 07:19 AM

instead of poping the fuse you will melt the harness.. maybe. with a dead short any fuse size should pop though. bigger fuse is not a solution. check the harness where the signals are back into the harness.

ChickenRun · July 5th, 2013, 02:06 PM

So after being so frustrated at my bike that I had called it every name in the book

I took a seat next to it and found that the ground wire was sticking out *just* enough to touch the metal that it was grounded to. Too bad I found out AFTER blowing 7 fuses through trial and error.

xorbe · July 5th, 2013, 03:18 PM

7 fuses is better than setting your bike on fire and possibly house if it was parked in the garage!!!

Whiskey · July 5th, 2013, 04:27 PM

A bit late, but if you're going to investigate an electrical issue getting hold of a mini circuit breaker can save you using a **** load of fuses

agent of orange · July 5th, 2013, 07:08 PM

if its a ground it shouldnt matter that a strand is touching the frame.

ChickenRun · July 7th, 2013, 02:29 PM

Well I tapped it up anyway just to be sure and the fuse hasn't blown yet, but still every time I hit the signal switch my heart stops in anticipation.

ChickenRun · July 10th, 2013, 02:27 PM

GOD. DAMMIT. IT BLEW AGAIN AND THEY KEEP BLOWING WHEN I HIT THE SWITCH. I've evaluated and covered EVERY wire under the seat and behind the fairings. I give up. It's going to the shop, even though I never wanted it to come to this.

rojoracing53 · July 10th, 2013, 03:03 PM

Just hardwire it without a fuse and wait for the problem to start smoking then bam you fix whatever's on fire

Lychee · July 10th, 2013, 03:29 PM

That sucks man, electrical problems are really tough to fix. Many times you need to test and eliminate each part of the circuit one by one, including the switch and light fixtures.

xorbe · July 10th, 2013, 03:45 PM

Since the fuse seems to repeatably burn out when the engine is off + turn signal, in the hands of an experienced person, it shouldn't take long to pin-point.

Asspire · July 10th, 2013, 04:49 PM

what is your battery voltage at?

ChickenRun · July 10th, 2013, 06:03 PM

lol at rojo, and I'm not sure what my battery voltage is. The previous owner didn't touch the bike customization wise, so I guess it's whatever voltage stock is supposed to be. I'm gonna give it three days and if I can't accidentally fix it by then then I'm letting the professionals have at it.

baxtc1 · July 10th, 2013, 06:14 PM

Sounds like it is somewhere between the switch (if not the switch itself) and the turn signals.

ChickenRun · July 11th, 2013, 03:42 PM

In one last attempt at solving this issue I tore all fairings off and UN-tapped every wire that I did my myself so that I could re-tape them. What I found was that the two turn signal wires (green one and yellow/black one) were touching each other UNDER the tape. After I fixed those I checked all the other turn signal wires to make sure they weren't getting jiggy with each other. Turned my baby on and she works once again.

Too bad I can't go for a celebration ride though, it's thundering here in Fleming Island.

baxtc1 · July 11th, 2013, 04:40 PM

Excellent, good to hear. Rechecking can sometimes pay off. Bugger the weather, go for a ride anyway.

xorbe · July 11th, 2013, 10:22 PM

Great job!!! +5 DIY

Klondike1020 · July 17th, 2013, 07:46 AM

Glad you figured it out..... might want to take a note and stopp electrical taping the wiring harness on the bike.... get some shrink wrap and a bic.... or even invest in a crimper and some male female ends....

electrical tape electrical modds are often bad buisness!

unreliable in the wet weather and prone to shorts.

get some dielectric grease too and lub up every connection you decide to mess with..

July 2nd, 2013, 06:43 PM	#1
ChickenRun ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Orlando, FL Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250r SE (without stupid tribal decals) Posts: 110	Interesting fuse problem I've got an interesting fuse problem that I can't figure out. I've been through 5 10a fuses in two days, where at first the fuse would work but after a mile down the road it blows. To fix this I electrical taped all the open wires under seat, but now I have a weird problem: If I turn the bike on but not the engine and hit the signal switch, the fuse blows instantly. But If I turn the bike on AND the engine then hit the signal switch the fuse works but only for one side (if I change to the other side it blows). I'm stumped.

July 3rd, 2013, 11:14 AM	#9
ChickenRun ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Orlando, FL Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250r SE (without stupid tribal decals) Posts: 110	bump So a larger fuse would fix my problem? 15a maybe? I wanna make sure before I accidentally set my baby on fire.

July 10th, 2013, 03:29 PM	#19
Lychee sail away Name: Jon Location: San Jose Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): gixxer (sold), ninjette (upgrade!) Posts: 964 Blog Entries: 8	That sucks man, electrical problems are really tough to fix. Many times you need to test and eliminate each part of the circuit one by one, including the switch and light fixtures. __________________________________________________ Unregistered found this post helpful. Track Day Preparation Checklist 1. Financial 2. Mental 3. Physical 4. Gear / Bike

July 11th, 2013, 03:42 PM	#24
ChickenRun ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Orlando, FL Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250r SE (without stupid tribal decals) Posts: 110	Fixed it...again...I think. In one last attempt at solving this issue I tore all fairings off and UN-tapped every wire that I did my myself so that I could re-tape them. What I found was that the two turn signal wires (green one and yellow/black one) were touching each other UNDER the tape. After I fixed those I checked all the other turn signal wires to make sure they weren't getting jiggy with each other. Turned my baby on and she works once again. Too bad I can't go for a celebration ride though, it's thundering here in Fleming Island.

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July 2nd, 2013, 06:47 PM	#2
rojoracing53 Fast-Guy wannabe Name: Jason Location: Brentwood, Ca Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja250, 2011 RM-Z250, 2004 NSR50, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '13	Your bikes totaled, just go buy another one

July 2nd, 2013, 06:59 PM	#4
Dano ninjette.org sage Name: Dan Location: Perryopolis, PA Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09' Blue Ninja 250R and 07' Honda 919 Posts: 605	forget about it go buy a R6! as with all electrical problems you are going to have to investigate. it might be as simple as 1 wire has the insulation rubbed off and the bare wire is hitting metal somewhere. good luck electrical probs suck

July 2nd, 2013, 07:07 PM	#5
ChickenRun ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Orlando, FL Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250r SE (without stupid tribal decals) Posts: 110	If I get a 600 it will be a blue 06 ZX6R them thangs are beautiful. Well is there any specific area where shorts are more frequent? I was surprised the first time I took the seat off to install a new relay how many wires weren't protected.

July 2nd, 2013, 07:16 PM	#6
tc.young ninjette.org member Name: tom Location: nyc Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '89 klr 650, '00 250r Posts: 177	buy a 50a fuse! if it blows with ignition on (shouldn't matter if engine's running) then it's a short before the switch (the one you use to indicate signal), could either be between power to turn relay or from turn relay to switch. if it only happens when you signal, then it appears it would be from green which controls the left signal or gray which controls the right. looks like black/yellow is ground.

July 5th, 2013, 07:19 AM	#11
agent of orange ninjette.org member Name: trent Location: halifax canada Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): gsf1200, gsxr750, r6, gpz400, gpx400r, zx6d Posts: 21	instead of poping the fuse you will melt the harness.. maybe. with a dead short any fuse size should pop though. bigger fuse is not a solution. check the harness where the signals are back into the harness.

July 5th, 2013, 03:18 PM	#13
xorbe ninjette.org guru Name: xorbe Location: Bay Area, CA Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): N650 (and others) Posts: 408	7 fuses is better than setting your bike on fire and possibly house if it was parked in the garage!!!

July 5th, 2013, 04:27 PM	#14
Whiskey ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Morgan Location: A city twinned with Kawasaki Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, 2010 STR 675 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	A bit late, but if you're going to investigate an electrical issue getting hold of a mini circuit breaker can save you using a **** load of fuses

July 5th, 2013, 07:08 PM	#15
agent of orange ninjette.org member Name: trent Location: halifax canada Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): gsf1200, gsxr750, r6, gpz400, gpx400r, zx6d Posts: 21	if its a ground it shouldnt matter that a strand is touching the frame.

July 7th, 2013, 02:29 PM	#16
ChickenRun ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Orlando, FL Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250r SE (without stupid tribal decals) Posts: 110	Well I tapped it up anyway just to be sure and the fuse hasn't blown yet, but still every time I hit the signal switch my heart stops in anticipation.

July 10th, 2013, 02:27 PM	#17
ChickenRun ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Orlando, FL Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250r SE (without stupid tribal decals) Posts: 110	GOD. DAMMIT. IT BLEW AGAIN AND THEY KEEP BLOWING WHEN I HIT THE SWITCH. I've evaluated and covered EVERY wire under the seat and behind the fairings. I give up. It's going to the shop, even though I never wanted it to come to this.

July 10th, 2013, 03:03 PM	#18
rojoracing53 Fast-Guy wannabe Name: Jason Location: Brentwood, Ca Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja250, 2011 RM-Z250, 2004 NSR50, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '13	Just hardwire it without a fuse and wait for the problem to start smoking then bam you fix whatever's on fire

July 10th, 2013, 03:45 PM	#20
xorbe ninjette.org guru Name: xorbe Location: Bay Area, CA Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): N650 (and others) Posts: 408	Since the fuse seems to repeatably burn out when the engine is off + turn signal, in the hands of an experienced person, it shouldn't take long to pin-point.

July 10th, 2013, 04:49 PM	#21
Asspire Fix It Till Ya Break It Name: Asspyre Location: T.Dot Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 08 250RRrrrr Posts: 623	what is your battery voltage at?

July 10th, 2013, 06:03 PM	#22
ChickenRun ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Orlando, FL Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250r SE (without stupid tribal decals) Posts: 110	lol at rojo, and I'm not sure what my battery voltage is. The previous owner didn't touch the bike customization wise, so I guess it's whatever voltage stock is supposed to be. I'm gonna give it three days and if I can't accidentally fix it by then then I'm letting the professionals have at it.

July 10th, 2013, 06:14 PM	#23
baxtc1 ninjette.org member Name: Robert Location: South of you blokes. Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '92 GPX 250 (Gone and replaced with '08 V-Strom), 2005 Suzuki C50. Posts: 186	Sounds like it is somewhere between the switch (if not the switch itself) and the turn signals.

July 11th, 2013, 04:40 PM	#25
baxtc1 ninjette.org member Name: Robert Location: South of you blokes. Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '92 GPX 250 (Gone and replaced with '08 V-Strom), 2005 Suzuki C50. Posts: 186	Excellent, good to hear. Rechecking can sometimes pay off. Bugger the weather, go for a ride anyway.

July 11th, 2013, 10:22 PM	#26
xorbe ninjette.org guru Name: xorbe Location: Bay Area, CA Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): N650 (and others) Posts: 408	Great job!!! +5 DIY

July 17th, 2013, 07:46 AM	#27
Klondike1020 Intrepid Adventurer Name: Josh Location: Rochester/Buffalo NY Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2004 GSXR 750 , 71 cb350streettracker, 07 Polaris Predator 500 Posts: A lot.	Glad you figured it out..... might want to take a note and stopp electrical taping the wiring harness on the bike.... get some shrink wrap and a bic.... or even invest in a crimper and some male female ends.... electrical tape electrical modds are often bad buisness! unreliable in the wet weather and prone to shorts. get some dielectric grease too and lub up every connection you decide to mess with..