Went out this evening for a loop on my 2005 Sportster and lights were running as should. I never noticed them go out since it was day time, but when we got done riding my brother said he noticed they were out. I have no headlight, turn signals, running lights or brake lights. Where should I look first?

 

<p>Fuses, then grounds and ignition switch connections.</p>

 

Do the same thing you do when the lights go out in the house: check fuses/breakers.

The lights fuse powers the headlights and running lights.

The accessory fuse powers the brake light.

 

I keep blowing fuse 4. I removed my rear fender mounted tail light and have the wiring setup like a nightster. I unplugged the wiring that goes to the rear lights and it still blows. I do have apes and have all the wiring taped together under my tank. The fuse blows right after I turn the key on. Any suggestions? Also, I've been running it like this with no problems for about 1000 miles.

1. Relay
2. Accessories (15 amp.)
3. Battery (15 amp.)
4. Lamps (15 amp.)
5. Ignition (15 amp.)
6. Spare (15 amp.)
7. Instruments (15 amp.)

 

<p>You've got a broken wire somewhere in that part of the harness that is grounding and blowing the fuse.</p>

 

Taped together is the issue. Never splice wires by twisting them together or using crimp connectors and then insulating them with electrical tape. Always solder your connections and use heat shrink sleeves. Taking shortcuts just leads to problems.

Also, did you extend the wires when you put on the apes? If not they are probably pulling apart.

No matter what, you definitely have an energized wire going to ground. I would check all the places where you altered the wiring and look for bare or broken wires.

Good luck!

 

I didn't splice by twisting wires together and running electrical tape on them. When I said tape, it was silicone tape just to do a wire tuck to get all the wires under the tank so they are not seen. When I altered any wires, I did crimp the wires with connectors and put heat shrink on top of those wires and connectors. I am going to remove tank tonight and start unplugging connectors and figure out where the short is coming from. I sure hope its not in the handlebars.

 

Check wire harness under rear fender. Mine came undone and the tire rubbed through it causing shorts