Passing lamp problem.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: South Joisey!
Passing lamp problem.
I just picked-up a 2000 Ultra last night.
The bike is in mint condition except for one thing.
When you turn on the passing lamps the head/taillight fuse blows right away.
Other than that everything works fine.
I know I probably should contact a dealer about this,
butI was wondering if any of you experienced the same problem.
Thanks for your help.
The bike is in mint condition except for one thing.
When you turn on the passing lamps the head/taillight fuse blows right away.
Other than that everything works fine.
I know I probably should contact a dealer about this,
butI was wondering if any of you experienced the same problem.
Thanks for your help.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 605
Likes: 16
From: AZ
RE: Passing lamp problem.
I had a similiar problem on my '01 FLHTC. I installed the kuryaken rear aux light module that turns the break lights into running lights. Every time I turned the passing lamps on the headlight would blow. I think somehow the kuryaken module overloaded the system. Does that bike have that module on it? Harley sells there own version, which I have, works great.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville, TN.
RE: Passing lamp problem.
The problem could be as previously mentioned, but here are two more easily addressed possible solutions;
First, a shorted wire. In order to properly aim or adjust the passing lamps, a special socket should be used -it's a flare socket (sold by Snap-On). Since most people don't have one, they jam anything and everything up into the housing to try and get at the nut. If even half-way succesful, thechances are that they've skinned the + lead passing through the bolt up into the passing lamp housing. Take out both bulbs and check the wires for a skinned wire - while the bulbs are out, and the + wire clear of the chassis, turn the lights on and if the fuse blows you'll know there's a short in the circuit. (The - lead is grounded right there in the passing lamp housing.)
The second culprit could be that the previous owner has put some bulbs somewhere on the system that are drawing significantly higher ampsthan the stock, or specified load, bulbs call for. In this case, it would have to be either the passing lamps or the main headlamp - some guys want flame throwers for passing lamps. Remember that a stock Ultra in 2000 came with a ton of incandescent bulbs, all of which when you add those up then add something drawing a lot more than spec'd, could cause an outage. The newer FLH bikestake moreadvantage of LEDsfor some of the lighting tasks andthey draw next to nothing.
I'd bet on the shorted wire in the passing lamp mounts. If not there, then there's not much more wire between the lamps and the switch so it should be easy to track down.
First, a shorted wire. In order to properly aim or adjust the passing lamps, a special socket should be used -it's a flare socket (sold by Snap-On). Since most people don't have one, they jam anything and everything up into the housing to try and get at the nut. If even half-way succesful, thechances are that they've skinned the + lead passing through the bolt up into the passing lamp housing. Take out both bulbs and check the wires for a skinned wire - while the bulbs are out, and the + wire clear of the chassis, turn the lights on and if the fuse blows you'll know there's a short in the circuit. (The - lead is grounded right there in the passing lamp housing.)
The second culprit could be that the previous owner has put some bulbs somewhere on the system that are drawing significantly higher ampsthan the stock, or specified load, bulbs call for. In this case, it would have to be either the passing lamps or the main headlamp - some guys want flame throwers for passing lamps. Remember that a stock Ultra in 2000 came with a ton of incandescent bulbs, all of which when you add those up then add something drawing a lot more than spec'd, could cause an outage. The newer FLH bikestake moreadvantage of LEDsfor some of the lighting tasks andthey draw next to nothing.
I'd bet on the shorted wire in the passing lamp mounts. If not there, then there's not much more wire between the lamps and the switch so it should be easy to track down.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: South Joisey!
RE: Passing lamp problem.
ORIGINAL: fastbagger
I had a similiar problem on my '01 FLHTC. I installed the kuryaken rear aux light module that turns the break lights into running lights. Every time I turned the passing lamps on the headlight would blow. I think somehow the kuryaken module overloaded the system. Does that bike have that module on it? Harley sells there own version, which I have, works great.
I had a similiar problem on my '01 FLHTC. I installed the kuryaken rear aux light module that turns the break lights into running lights. Every time I turned the passing lamps on the headlight would blow. I think somehow the kuryaken module overloaded the system. Does that bike have that module on it? Harley sells there own version, which I have, works great.
If not I'm not sure what you're referring to.
Anyway, besides the small lighted 'wings' on the saddlebags, and the one on the tour pac, there's nothing else added that's on that circiut.
I tried a 20 amp fuse, it calls for a 15 amp, and it blew right away, as soon as I hit the switch.
Guess I'll keep trying to find it.
Thanks for the reply though!
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: South Joisey!
RE: Passing lamp problem.
ORIGINAL: flhtc07ok
The problem could be as previously mentioned, but here are two more easily addressed possible solutions;
First, a shorted wire. In order to properly aim or adjust the passing lamps, a special socket should be used -it's a flare socket (sold by Snap-On). Since most people don't have one, they jam anything and everything up into the housing to try and get at the nut. If even half-way succesful, thechances are that they've skinned the + lead passing through the bolt up into the passing lamp housing. Take out both bulbs and check the wires for a skinned wire - while the bulbs are out, and the + wire clear of the chassis, turn the lights on and if the fuse blows you'll know there's a short in the circuit. (The - lead is grounded right there in the passing lamp housing.)
The second culprit could be that the previous owner has put some bulbs somewhere on the system that are drawing significantly higher ampsthan the stock, or specified load, bulbs call for. In this case, it would have to be either the passing lamps or the main headlamp - some guys want flame throwers for passing lamps. Remember that a stock Ultra in 2000 came with a ton of incandescent bulbs, all of which when you add those up then add something drawing a lot more than spec'd, could cause an outage. The newer FLH bikestake moreadvantage of LEDsfor some of the lighting tasks andthey draw next to nothing.
I'd bet on the shorted wire in the passing lamp mounts. If not there, then there's not much more wire between the lamps and the switch so it should be easy to track down.
The problem could be as previously mentioned, but here are two more easily addressed possible solutions;
First, a shorted wire. In order to properly aim or adjust the passing lamps, a special socket should be used -it's a flare socket (sold by Snap-On). Since most people don't have one, they jam anything and everything up into the housing to try and get at the nut. If even half-way succesful, thechances are that they've skinned the + lead passing through the bolt up into the passing lamp housing. Take out both bulbs and check the wires for a skinned wire - while the bulbs are out, and the + wire clear of the chassis, turn the lights on and if the fuse blows you'll know there's a short in the circuit. (The - lead is grounded right there in the passing lamp housing.)
The second culprit could be that the previous owner has put some bulbs somewhere on the system that are drawing significantly higher ampsthan the stock, or specified load, bulbs call for. In this case, it would have to be either the passing lamps or the main headlamp - some guys want flame throwers for passing lamps. Remember that a stock Ultra in 2000 came with a ton of incandescent bulbs, all of which when you add those up then add something drawing a lot more than spec'd, could cause an outage. The newer FLH bikestake moreadvantage of LEDsfor some of the lighting tasks andthey draw next to nothing.
I'd bet on the shorted wire in the passing lamp mounts. If not there, then there's not much more wire between the lamps and the switch so it should be easy to track down.
Here's what happened today...
My friend and I took the dash off, took the lamps apart, and checked the wiring under the seat.
We found 2 wires that had worn through the sheathing.
Taped them up good, and they worked!
So we put everything backtogether and he took it around the block a couple of times.
When he got back the fuse was blown again!
By the way, the two wires that were exposed ended up to be ground wires.
Now I'm not a mechanic, and I'm not trying to answer my own question, but I wonder if we didn't "disturb" the 'short' for awhile and due to the vibration it shorted out again?
I hope that made sence to you.
I took the lamps apart again, buthad the same results.
Tomorrow we are going to start from the switch and try and trace the hot wires right to the bulbs.
If we can't find anything after that, then it's off to Harley we go!
Thanks for your suggestions!
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Passing lamp problem.
Just some tests:
1. Pull the bulbs - see what happens (with the seat on) - i.e. drive around a bit and check the fuse. Assuming a wiring problem, fuse will probably be blown again.
2. What is the fuse rating? Is it correct?
3. Nothing from the above two checks - then must be a wiring issue. Isolate the +12v wires going to the lamps. Might try disconnecting both ends and running a temp line.
Question: do the passing lamps do out when the headlight/tail light fuse blows? Assume so. If not, then that's real strange.
1. Pull the bulbs - see what happens (with the seat on) - i.e. drive around a bit and check the fuse. Assuming a wiring problem, fuse will probably be blown again.
2. What is the fuse rating? Is it correct?
3. Nothing from the above two checks - then must be a wiring issue. Isolate the +12v wires going to the lamps. Might try disconnecting both ends and running a temp line.
Question: do the passing lamps do out when the headlight/tail light fuse blows? Assume so. If not, then that's real strange.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: South Joisey!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom
Verdad Gallardo
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: South Joisey!
RE: Passing lamp problem.
ORIGINAL: 2005UltraNC
Just some tests:
1. Pull the bulbs - see what happens (with the seat on) - i.e. drive around a bit and check the fuse. Assuming a wiring problem, fuse will probably be blown again.
2. What is the fuse rating? Is it correct?
3. Nothing from the above two checks - then must be a wiring issue. Isolate the +12v wires going to the lamps. Might try disconnecting both ends and running a temp line.
Question: do the passing lamps do out when the headlight/tail light fuse blows? Assume so. If not, then that's real strange.
Just some tests:
1. Pull the bulbs - see what happens (with the seat on) - i.e. drive around a bit and check the fuse. Assuming a wiring problem, fuse will probably be blown again.
2. What is the fuse rating? Is it correct?
3. Nothing from the above two checks - then must be a wiring issue. Isolate the +12v wires going to the lamps. Might try disconnecting both ends and running a temp line.
Question: do the passing lamps do out when the headlight/tail light fuse blows? Assume so. If not, then that's real strange.
2. It calls for a 15 amp fuse.
I tried a 20 amp, but it didn't make any difference.
3. Here's where we're at now.
We took the dash off, dropped the lamps and front turn signals and examined the wires.
They're all good.
By process of elimination we found that the short is somewhere between the switch and the lights.
We took the outer fairing off but could not find the actual short.
However by 'playing' with the wires, we must've moved something and now they work.
So the next step is to get some plastic wire wrap and cover, tape, and zip tie everything that we possibly can.
One thing that we did notice is that the wires run up against the radio, and i have a feeling that's where the problem is.
Hopefully one day this week we'll have it fixed.
Yes, when the fuse blows I lose the head and tail lights along with the passing lamps.
I sincerely appreciate your and others' input.
Please keep the ideas coming.
Thanks,
Dawg.
There's a Gremblin in there somewhere!!!
[IMG]local://upfiles/52411/97995BE088CA4D579E98A7C63BEC9715.jpg[/IMG]
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Passing lamp problem.
Take a look at the left switch housing as well. I've taken mine apart before, and pinched a wire that would cause the fuse to blow when I put on high beams, but only when the O/L was on the back. She swore that she was too fat to ride for weeks before I found that one!!!