Electrical issue

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Jul 18, 2019 | 05:39 PM

dickey

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From: Florida

Electrical issue

Ok; so I pull into my garage on my '07 RK, & with the motor running, I hit the horn to let my RM know I'm home,and the horn doesn't work. Hit it a few more times; nothing. So I shut the motor off, & turn the ignition switch back on & have horn for a couple honks, then horn quits again. No accessory,no horn, no brake lights or directionals. Bike starts & runs OK. So I replace the 15 amp fuse & everything works again, until I hit the horn, then same thing all over again..no horn directionals,brake light, or acces.
I'm thinking a short in the horn itself, or handlebar horn switch. Got appointment to bring the bike in the morning, as I am a total dummy when it comes to electrical, but I do have a replacement horn I bought years ago; maybe I should replace it & see if that's the issue.
Anyone got any ideas?

Jul 18, 2019 | 06:22 PM

GalvTexGuy

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Isolate the horn by removing it from the electrical circuit.

Last edited by GalvTexGuy; Jul 18, 2019 at 07:41 PM.

Jul 18, 2019 | 06:37 PM

Zerk

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From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs

If it honks intermitently it is not a fuse. If other stuff is working, not main fuse.

Jul 18, 2019 | 06:42 PM

MilsurpShooter

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From: In a van down by the river

The fuse you replaced was blown? If it was blown, did the fuse blow again when you hit the horn?

Jul 18, 2019 | 07:03 PM

01fxdxt

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Joined: Jul 2010

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It never hurts to disconnect battery ground and go to any terminals you can get at,especially around fuses/breakers .Look closely,wiggle wires, for loose connections chafed wires.Sounds like an intermittent problem,you might just find cause by looking for something obvious,can't hurt.Good luck.

Last edited by 01fxdxt; Jul 18, 2019 at 07:10 PM.

Jul 18, 2019 | 07:29 PM

RANGER73

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From: Beyond Fucital

Pull the horn and hit the button see if the fuse blows again. Then you'll know if it's the horn or wiring from the button.

Jul 18, 2019 | 09:09 PM

sechracer

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Joined: Apr 2018

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From: Upstate NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by RANGER73

Pull the horn and hit the button see if the fuse blows again. Then you'll know if it's the horn or wiring from the button.

best way to see. It most likely is just a bad horn.... unless you had work done recently....

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Jul 18, 2019 | 09:49 PM

dickey

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From: Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by MilsurpShooter

The fuse you replaced was blown? If it was blown, did the fuse blow again when you hit the horn?

The horn honked a couple times, then blew the fuse again. I replaced it so I'd have brake lights when I ride to dealership tomorrow.

"unless you had work done recently"
Nope. No work of any kind.

The first time I tried the horn; nothing. Then I tried it again, it honked a couple times, then blew the fuse.

Can the horn itself short out?

Last edited by dickey; Jul 18, 2019 at 09:52 PM.