Need Help-Electrical Problem

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Oct 15, 2007 | 10:50 PM

Paul32730

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From: Port Orange, Florida

Need Help-Electrical Problem

2001 FXSTDI-

I recently replaced my rear tail light with the new HD LED unit. The wires/plug that come with it are longer than the stock one, so there is more to bundle up under the fender. I secured the wires (or thought I had) and rode for a short while. When I started my bike today my buddy said I had no tail light. I also had no brakes or turn signals.

I looked under the fender and the wiring had slipped down and rubbed on the rear wheel. The insulation was rubbed off one turn signal positive wire (violet), the brake positive wire (blue) and a ground wire (black).

I wrapped the three individually in electrical tape and resecured the wires. I still had no tail,brake light or turn signals. So I checked under the seat and the 15 amp fuse was blown. Replaced that. Now I have a tail light, but no brake light or turn signals. I started the bike and - now this is really stumping me-I have no turn signal indicators on my dash, and my speedo needle sits at 32 mph. I also have no odometer read out. The speedo needle doesn't move at all when I ride.

Any ideas? There was a run-turn-controller, but I removed that. The service guy tells me there are no other fuses I should be looking for. Could a short have damaged something beyond a fuse that would cause this? Anyone recall anything like this?

Thanks for any ideas at all.

Paul

Oct 16, 2007 | 12:37 AM

closetredneck

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RE: Need Help-Electrical Problem

Did you check it after you first installed it? When I installed mine, the brake light was stuck on. Only bright red, not dim. I returned it and dealer told me they've had a lot of these LED lights come out of the box defective. Not sure who is making these add on's for HD, but a lot of them are junk. My father in law is on his second set of LED flush fuel gauge and is waiting for a new third.

Oct 16, 2007 | 04:06 AM

Paul32730

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From: Port Orange, Florida

RE: Need Help-Electrical Problem

Yep. It was all working fine. I checked with both of my local dealers before I bought it. They haven't had any of the led tail lights returned yet. They have had the same issue everyone here has had with the flush-mount LED fuel guages.

Oct 16, 2007 | 08:39 AM

tmitchellof PG

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From: Punta Gorda,FL

RE: Need Help-Electrical Problem

You might try and do a quick disconnect to your battery. Maybe the ECM will reset.
Tom

Oct 16, 2007 | 08:43 AM

tmitchellof PG

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From: Punta Gorda,FL

RE: Need Help-Electrical Problem

Did you install a load equalizer when you switched to the LED rear light? Did you check to see if everything was functioning properly, before you took the ride?
Tom

Oct 16, 2007 | 08:56 AM

In Memoriam Citoriplus

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From: Rochester, NY

RE: Need Help-Electrical Problem

Quote:

ORIGINAL: tmitchellof PG
You might try and do a quick disconnect to your battery. Maybe the ECM will reset.
Tom

That's not a bad idea, but if you do. Don't just do it quickly. Some circuits can stay alive for some time because of residual current in capacitors. Take off the negative cable and use a jumpercable or short piece of wire to connect itand it alone to the positive cable end.
Just connect thecable ends.
Don't worry about the positive battery side, if thenegative cable isn't connected its nothing more than a convienient cable holder.
Leave the battery disconnectedwith a jumper inconnecting the two cables together for 10 or 15 minutes.
That will ensure that any residual capacitence in the circuitry has been discharged giving you a clean start when you put things back together.

Good Luck

Oct 16, 2007 | 11:11 AM

Paul32730

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From: Port Orange, Florida

RE: Need Help-Electrical Problem

Thanks for the info so far. I wish I had it here to try the last suggestion. It's at the dealer. They have no idea why it is doing what's doing which is not a good thing. We'll see what they say.