New problem: won't start!

[Kendan]

Hey guys. My bike won't start. Bummer.

Was about to go for supper, started the bike just fine. Idled for maybe 30 seconds then i realized i forgot to unlock my saddle bags. Shut the bike off. Unlocked the bags, went to restart it and no start.

Turning the key on, the bike made all its usual sounds, fuel pump priming, clicking sounds, etc (I always give it time to do this) but when i press the button, nothing. The relay (?) on the right side of the bike under the cover clicks once when i press the starter button but thats it. No power to starter?
When i turn the key on, the tail lights come on, but the headlight does not. Hit the highbeam switch and nothing either. And my aux lights (factory ones) won't turn on as well. All signal lights work fine. Horn works too. So do the brake lights.My battery gauge shows a good charge.
All fuses good. Battery terminals look good.
Tried with the kickstand up, in gear, out of gear, eyes closed, fingers crossed. Nothing.
Ummm, help?

Addendum: number 9 fuse burnt. Icon looks like a headlight icon...low/high beam. I replaced the 15amp fuse, turned the key, headlight flickered. Died. And fuse burned.

 

[Dawg68]

If your blowing fuses, it's an indication of a short in the circuit. Electrical faults are tricky to diagnose. you will need to pull the schematics, with the use of a multimeter you can check the circuit that is associated with the fuse you are blowing. Usually fuses blow when you exceed the rated current draw. Most of the time within a DC circuit when you have problems it's either a ground fault which simulates an open circuit or a shunt where current is passed straight to ground, the fuse blows to protect the circuit. Once you blow a fuse it's like turning of a light switch, that circuit no longer works but others not affected may function normally...

Best of luck

 

[Kendan]

Hey all. Just an update on this. Turned out it was my LED headlight I had recently installed. Must be defective I guess. Have to contact the manufacturer yet. But it was the cause of blown headlight fuses and the bike not starting. I had the original headlight assembly nearby while I was 'troubleshooting' and plugged it in. Bike starts fine and the headlight works fine.
So there it is.

 

[Tal]

sounds like the dreaded short in the parklights when the led headlights are installed. The park bulb is removed leaving the remaining wiring in the socket with nothing in there ...the contacts in the socket touch each other and "POP".goes the fuse. A common problem when changing to leds.

 

[Kendan]

sounds like the dreaded short in the parklights when the led headlights are installed. The park bulb is removed leaving the remaining wiring in the socket with nothing in there ...the contacts in the socket touch each other and "POP".goes the fuse. A common problem when changing to leds.

Hmmm thats good info. I don't think thats the case this time, as the socket for the parking light "wire/assembly" didn't appear to be positioned to short out and i did ride around a bit without issue with the old headlight minus the park bulb.
But since you mentioned this I am going to plug that wee bulb back in and try the LED again to make sure. I still have one spare 15amp fuse left thats ready to sacrifice itself.

 

[sonny]

sounds like the dreaded short in the parklights when the led headlights are installed. The park bulb is removed leaving the remaining wiring in the socket with nothing in there ...the contacts in the socket touch each other and "POP".goes the fuse. A common problem when changing to leds.

Yes indeed.

 

[barbagris]

A common problem when changing to leds.

Well unless you wire in the Park light. All my LED lights came with them.

 

[sonny]

Day Makers and no problem.

 

[Tal]

True if there is park bulbs included as you say.....but if the sockets have no bulbs, as is the case with many replacement led headlight assemblies, then this problem often arises. Its not that the socket touches metal and shorts out, but rather the contacts inside the socket touch each other...they are very close due to the wedge type of push in bulb used.

 

[Mittzy]

I tucked the wires to my park lights into a cupboard in the shed