So I was putting new handle bars on my bike (2002 sportster) and there was a quick disconnect under the visor where the headlight is. I unhooked it real quick to move something around but my battery wasn't disconnected. I turned on the ignition and heard just a small pop and my headlight brake light and turn sigs aren't working. The neutral light and oil tank light work and the bike starts. What happened? Did I pop a fuse?

 

The lights should be on a relay, clear the short and it should reset when you start up.

 

What do you mean clear the short?

 

If I'm not mistaken, the lights are on the "Accessory" circuit. Remove your left side cover and inspect this fuse [should be a 15amp] and replace if blown, and you should be good to go.

Whenever doing electrical work on your bike, however trivial, it's always a good idea to pull the main fuse BEFOREhand to avoid such problems.

=8^)

 

Based on what you’ve written, it appears you may have created a short within the wiring circuit. DeJavu is right, saying that you must identify and correct or “clear” that short. Once confirmed that you have a clear circuit, you can then proceed. You may have a bad fuse, but it will continue to blow if the short still exists.

 

I don't get it, all I did was unhook the connector under the headlight visor and the fuses blew when I turned the ignition switch. I put new fuses in to see if it was a one time thing and this ones blew as well. I don't understand how there could be a short... What do I do??

 

Wiring gremlins are sometimes a beotch to trace, but need to re-assess your steps with this handlebar project. Are the new bars and wiring on bike? If so, look for crimped/pinched/bare wires...also, is everything re-wired correct? Clearing the short means finding where you have a wire grounding somewhere so it will keep popping fuses until you fix (clear). Good luck!

 

A quick method to check is by opening up the headlight and pull apart the connector you note in your original post. Install a good fuse and turn on the ignition. If the fuse holds your problem is in that circuit beyond the connector. You will still need to troubleshoot from that point, however, I suspect that is where you will locate the short.

 

Found the problem. Exposed wire under the hand control switches. Going to fix it tomorrow.

 

Glad you found the short. Wiring is not my strong suit, but with patience, it eventually makes sense. A $10 multimeter helps a lot.