Blowing headlight fuses
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Athens, Alabama
Thanks for all the tips guys. The fuse was blown before I changed the lights out. I got the new lights in and swapped them out before I had a new fuse. Once I put the new fuse in and went from Hi to Lo it popped. I only had the one extra fuse so that was the end of that last night about midnight. I picked up some more fuses today and I'll try the suggestions from this post tonight. I do remember noticing my front fender tip light was out and I whacked it a few times trying to see if it would go on right before this happened. I guess thats where I'll start. I'll update in the morning.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
Have you washed the bike just before this happened and used a hose? My son did this on his and he blew fuses for a couple days until the water evaporated out of his switches and wiring. Point is no water on the switches, if not and you havent done any switch housing or bar work, follow Mikes advice. Remember follow the K.I.S.S method (keep it simple, stupid!)
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 563
Likes: 4
From: Raleigh, NC
Have you washed the bike just before this happened and used a hose? My son did this on his and he blew fuses for a couple days until the water evaporated out of his switches and wiring. Point is no water on the switches, if not and you havent done any switch housing or bar work, follow Mikes advice. Remember follow the K.I.S.S method (keep it simple, stupid!)
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
then do as mkguitar suggested.. pull the headlamp then
replace the fuse
turn the bike on
flip hi/lo switch back and forth
if it still blows, you have a wiring issue
if it doesn't blow, you have a headlamp issue
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 563
Likes: 4
From: Raleigh, NC
UPDATE Getting close
Ok guys I have it narrowed down to the spot switch? It only pops when I turn on the spots? Is it the switch thats bad or could it be something else? Thanks All, Almost there......
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
then do the same thing as with the headlamp procedure. pull each spot out one at a time and flip the switch to see if the fuse blows. odds are what you're going to find (and is pretty common) is the wires that go from the back of the lamp itself up into the chrome housing are chaffed and rubbing, creating a direct short to ground.
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 563
Likes: 4
From: Raleigh, NC
then do the same thing as with the headlamp procedure. pull each spot out one at a time and flip the switch to see if the fuse blows. odds are what you're going to find (and is pretty common) is the wires that go from the back of the lamp itself up into the chrome housing are chaffed and rubbing, creating a direct short to ground.