Need Help - Electrical Ground
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 119
From: NC
Need Help - Electrical Ground
I had my light bar, spot lights, turn signals powder coated and installed everything today. Turn signals run on separate power/ground and are working fine. The right spotlight is wired up, ground is good, it works fine.
The left spotlight will not light. I've done a bunch of trouble shooting and finally figured out that my ground, inside the bulb housing, is not working. I added an extension piece of wire to the ground side of the bulb and wrapped it around a bolt on the frame and the light will work...problem is, I need the ground within the light housing to work. Any ideas?
The left spotlight will not light. I've done a bunch of trouble shooting and finally figured out that my ground, inside the bulb housing, is not working. I added an extension piece of wire to the ground side of the bulb and wrapped it around a bolt on the frame and the light will work...problem is, I need the ground within the light housing to work. Any ideas?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 2
From: Parker, CO
What holds the bulb in the holder?
Do these bulbs screw in or are they the type that push in and quarter turn to lock in place?
If they push in and quarter turn, the problem may be that you do not have enough pressure on the bulb that pushes the bulb back against the holder. If so then clean the holder as best you can and then look deep into the socket and see if the bulbs sit against a flat spring plate. If so, with the power off, reach in the socket with a long nose pliers and pull the flat plate toward you slightly. This should increase the spring pressure.
Some of the holders have coil spring loaded connectors. Some times these get stuck. Again reach in with long nose pliers and gently pull out on the spring and connector.
Don't know if this will help but I have seen this problem with boat trailers where the connectors and holders get wet and corrode.
If they push in and quarter turn, the problem may be that you do not have enough pressure on the bulb that pushes the bulb back against the holder. If so then clean the holder as best you can and then look deep into the socket and see if the bulbs sit against a flat spring plate. If so, with the power off, reach in the socket with a long nose pliers and pull the flat plate toward you slightly. This should increase the spring pressure.
Some of the holders have coil spring loaded connectors. Some times these get stuck. Again reach in with long nose pliers and gently pull out on the spring and connector.
Don't know if this will help but I have seen this problem with boat trailers where the connectors and holders get wet and corrode.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 119
From: NC
Thanks Kentucky Dave - I got it figured out...I had to take my dremel and grind off some of the powdercoat under the spotlight where it presses against the light bar. Problem solved, everythings in working order.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 2
From: Parker, CO
Missing ground is a pain to find sometimes.
Glad you got it figured out. Nothing bugs we more than to have a bike that isn't working properly.
My FXSTC had a ground missing last week and the fuel pump wouldn't run when the bike was cold. If it got lower than 40 degrees above, the ECM wouldn't provide a ground to the fuel pump and the pump wouldn't run. I finally put an electric heater on the ECM and after about 5 minutes the pump started running. The dealer said he had only seen this one other time.
The warranty was out on the bike but the ECM is covered under an emissions warranty that is good for 5 years. Good local dealer here in Denver!!!
My FXSTC had a ground missing last week and the fuel pump wouldn't run when the bike was cold. If it got lower than 40 degrees above, the ECM wouldn't provide a ground to the fuel pump and the pump wouldn't run. I finally put an electric heater on the ECM and after about 5 minutes the pump started running. The dealer said he had only seen this one other time.
The warranty was out on the bike but the ECM is covered under an emissions warranty that is good for 5 years. Good local dealer here in Denver!!!
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Cap'n Parrothead
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Jun 28, 2013 08:42 AM
