Had the same problem on my '05 after swapping stock control covers to chrome... ended up being a pinched brake wire inside the switch (my fault - I pinched it when putting covers back on - it was grounded out). After I found it and fixed it, one of my rear blinkers wouldnt work. That turned out to be a blown aftermarket turn signal module (Biketronics - turns your blinkers into running lights). Replaced it and all back to normal. Those turn signal moduls are touchy and can blow if you start messing with any electrical, so if your start switch is acting up, it could blow out the module if you have one.

 

Found blown fuse in position 6 which is brakes/cruise. Yes I do have factory cruise control. Everything works. The thing that bothers me is I have not touched anything in a while except I changed rear brake pads a couple of months ago. If that one fuse was blown, why was the entire panel out and I had no speedometer or turn signals either ....
I'll see how quickly the replacement fuse blows, then back to drawing board.

 

If I recall that fuse operates multiple items. I have the official Harley electrical manual and will check the wiring diagram for that fuse when I get home. Just let me know if you need or want any of the diagrams and I can scan / email them to you - or place online for your viewing pleasure.

Brian

 

Thanks Brian.
Change fuse got a mile down the road and everything went out including the headlight this time. I'm going to start disconnecting accessories.

 

A 12 volt test light would be a good $10.00 (or less) investment if you are going to be troubleshooting electrical problems.

 

other than testing fuses, not sure what good that would do me. I've had 3 different fuses blow although now the accessory fuse is blowing consistantly and the main and aux headlights are not working at all. had the headlight out to check inside the nacelle for wire shorts uninstalled accessories that use power ... all with no change No headlight

 

Replaced flaky ignition console switch even though that was likely not the problem. Of course was still popping fuses. Fuse that blew consistantly now was "P&A". Checked friends 05 touring series electrical schematic. Noticed that all accessories are on that curcuit. Disconected the main accessory power plug. Did not fail again. The only thing that is running off that that was still plugged in was the fender light which was plugged into the fender tip light connector. Even though the wires "look" ok, I believe that is where the short is coming from. Yep, it was something I installed 3.5 years ago. At least that's just a bling light. Can rewire it next winter as a project. Thanks for everyone's help.

 

****! Did it again ... guess it's not my fender light. Saw that there is rust on my ground points on the frame under the seat. Going to disconnect the battery and clean them off good tonight. If that don't do it I'll be pulling parts off again. Got the schematics, but they really only show me where **** is. Not really doing much to convince me that any single point is causing failure. Anybody every seen anything like this. Going to start another thread to see if I get any new input.

 

1. All fuses look good .....
2. I'm going to replace all the fuses with clean ones since they are so cheap tonight.

two good reasons to get yourself a cheap test light.

 

Revisited inside of headlight nacelle. Found chafed wired at very top rubbing on upper housing. Used liquid tape, some regular electrical tape, and a nylon tie to hold it down. All OK now I think. Took me 3 weeks to find it.