EVO All Evo Model Discussion

Headlight and signals went out in a flash on my FXR

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 19, 2020 | 08:59 AM
  #1  
owenewowen's Avatar
owenewowen
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
5 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 49
Likes: 35
From: Los Angeles
Default Headlight and signals went out in a flash on my FXR

I was on a group ride last night when I saw a bright flash and my bike died, luckily I was able to coast over to the shoulder in traffic and get it to start up again. Everything seemed fine except all four turn signals just stay solid on when I try to use them but they still function properly as hazard lights.... once I got home I found out the low beam on my headlight was out (which probably explains the flash). I'm riding a '93 FXR that just had some pretty extensive engine work done and I know some of the wiring got cut and resoldered when the oil tank was pulled. I'm just looking for pointers on where to start with this. Before you ask, I have LED turn signals front and rear but have a Custom Dynamics load equalizer installed and have never had a problem since I put it in, doubt that's the issue. Looking at the service manual it seems like MAYBE one of the 15A circuit breakers could have gone? If anyone has experience with a similar problem let me know what you figured out, it'd be much appreciated.

 
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2020 | 09:19 AM
  #2  
Dr.Hess's Avatar
Dr.Hess
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,196
Likes: 3,085
From: NW AR
Default

MAYBE your voltage regulator just went POOF. That's where my money is. Follow the sticky instructions and report back.
 
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2020 | 09:37 AM
  #3  
owenewowen's Avatar
owenewowen
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
5 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 49
Likes: 35
From: Los Angeles
Default

Hm, I hadn't considered that. When we redid the engine we also replaced all the internals of the charging system (stator, rotor). I've been told regulators are next to impossible to test, is there a sure-fire method?
 
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2020 | 09:42 AM
  #4  
0maha's Avatar
0maha
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,551
Likes: 4,779
From: Omaha
Default

Originally Posted by owenewowen
Hm, I hadn't considered that. When we redid the engine we also replaced all the internals of the charging system (stator, rotor). I've been told regulators are next to impossible to test, is there a sure-fire method?
The procedure the Dr. Hess pointed you too will answer all your questions.
 
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2020 | 09:46 AM
  #5  
owenewowen's Avatar
owenewowen
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
5 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 49
Likes: 35
From: Los Angeles
Default

OH! Hahaha... I didn't understand what was being said, I thought he meant it was a messy job! I'll take a look and proceed, thank you.
 
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2020 | 04:33 PM
  #6  
owenewowen's Avatar
owenewowen
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
5 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 49
Likes: 35
From: Los Angeles
Default

Okay, when I returned to the garage the bike wouldn't start. Since the rest of the charging system was recently replaced I went ahead and put in a new voltage regulator. The charging system seems to be fine and the bike starts up great, replacing the headlamp bulb solved the blown element, but the turn signals still stay solid on except when being used as hazards. Also the other wire coming from the main fuse (which my service manual tells me connects to the battery) gets really hot and smokes. Any thoughts on the continued blinker problem and now smoking hot fuse/wire terminal?
 
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2020 | 10:38 AM
  #7  
merlin 2's Avatar
merlin 2
Tourer
Veteran: Navy
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 367
Likes: 77
From: Northern IL
Default

smoke means short some where look for pinched wire.
 
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2020 | 05:56 AM
  #8  
Dan89FLSTC's Avatar
Dan89FLSTC
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
Active Streak: 30 Days
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,096
Likes: 12,640
From: South Carolina
Default

If the wire between the battery and the main breaker is getting smoking hot, it is shorted to ground.

You must trace this wire and find/correct the problem before you do anything else.

Oh, and tell the guy who cut the wiring in order to remove the oil tank that he is a hack....
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 22, 2020 | 06:25 AM
  #9  
98hotrodfatboy's Avatar
98hotrodfatboy
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,064
Likes: 7,591
From: Poolville
Default

I'm pretty sure the only thing the 30 amp main breaker protects is the voltage regulator but it is also the main feed to the ignition switch. If as you say there was a flash and the low beam head lamp bulb blew it definitely sounds like the regulator was not shunting to ground over volting the system and taking out the bulb and the load equalizer. It's possible that the main breaker is fused from the over voltage issue. If the wire feed to the 30 amp main breaker is still getting hot then you still have a short somewhere..
 
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2020 | 06:39 AM
  #10  
Yankee Dog's Avatar
Yankee Dog
Grand HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,723
Likes: 3,063
From: Brighton, MI
Default

I agree with others, you have a short somewhere, but also replace that 30 amp circuit breaker if it is original.

Circuitry in the turn signal module might be smoked from what ever took out the head light bulb. Those modules are obsolete, but you can substitute with an aftermarket module.

I would start by looking for and tracing for shorts in all the wiring that was previously cut. Wiring for the lighting circuits is also suspect and needs to be completely traced. Time consuming but necessary. Do you have a wiring diagram to "follow along" during tracing?

Also I sent you a PM as I have a question about your air cleaner set up. Thanks

 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:58 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE