electrical current draw problem short circuit
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Stage II
Joined: Dec 2006
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electrical current draw problem short circuit
ARGH! I replaced my handlebars on my 93fxdl.I did have to grind a little off the housings since the bars were not indented,being careful to leave enuff meat to clamp on properly and not cut thru any wires as well.The bike runs and starts great if I use it every day.If i leave it for a week the battery goes dead!I checked the control wires,doesn't seem to be any breaks.How do I check them to see where there is a short circuit? Could it be because the space i grinded off not big enuff causing the wires to be squeezed together too much causing a draw?
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 33
From: Acworth
RE: electrical current draw problem short circuit
I would check the ground area for any sharp edges. File the edges smooth, they will come back to haunt you later, maybe much later. Put some type of wiring protection on the wires after your satisfied they are ready to go. Put a meter in line ( between the battery and postive lead) to check for current draw with the switch off. Have your battery checked, mine average about 3/4 years.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver, B.C.
RE: electrical current draw problem short circuit
Sounds like you've got a small leak to ground that the draw isn't enough to take out a fuse. (electric heater) It is real easy to jump to the conclusion that it's something you did when changing out your bars, but it could just be a bad battery, like Mikey suggested.
How 'bout taking the negative lead off the battery (making sure it can't make contact with any hots by taping it up) and see if your battery is OK after a week?
If you want to see if you have a detectable current draw that's making your battery go flat when the ignition is off, make sure to use a meter with a clamp. You can't put a meter in series in the circuit or you'll mess it up.
If the battery checks out OK then disassemble the switch housing and look again.
I've ruled out your bike not getting a charge to the battery since you say it seems OK if you run it every day.
Think of what else got messed with while doing the bars?
CN
How 'bout taking the negative lead off the battery (making sure it can't make contact with any hots by taping it up) and see if your battery is OK after a week?
If you want to see if you have a detectable current draw that's making your battery go flat when the ignition is off, make sure to use a meter with a clamp. You can't put a meter in series in the circuit or you'll mess it up.
If the battery checks out OK then disassemble the switch housing and look again.
I've ruled out your bike not getting a charge to the battery since you say it seems OK if you run it every day.
Think of what else got messed with while doing the bars?
CN
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Dorchester, Ont, Canada
RE: electrical current draw problem short circuit
to check for a draw you can use and amp. meter between neg post and cable, but the simple way is to disconnect neg and put a test light in between batt. and cable, then see if light is on, the more currant going out the brighter the light will be, sometimes you have to touch the cable back to the batt. to power down computers ect. still with test light connected
Also when you have the light in line touch the brake lever to turn on the brake light to see the amount of draw a bulb creates for a refferacnce.
Dont know if that helps, Ive never had a draw on a bike, but thats the way i find them in cars.
Also when you have the light in line touch the brake lever to turn on the brake light to see the amount of draw a bulb creates for a refferacnce.
Dont know if that helps, Ive never had a draw on a bike, but thats the way i find them in cars.
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