Rocket 3 Classic - Electrical Problems

[Scottf83]

Hello

I've got an issue at the moment with my electrics, and hoping you guys have some advice of what it may be and where to check... any help appreciated.

Symptoms started at the start of the week when my rear left indicator stopped working, I assumed the single bulb had blown and so didn't think too much of it just something to buy and fit ASAP.

Then the entire indicator set (front/back, left/right) stopped working. I checked the bulbs and none are blown.

Also during this time of paying close attention to the whole bike, I noticed that I have the following anomalies when the ignition is switched on:

- indicators don't work at all
- parking lights are on
- tail light on but brake light won't work
- heated grips are on even with switch in OFF position
- had an issue last night where the alarm would immediately sound once it automatically engaged, thankfully that has stopped! (further sign of electrical weirdness though)

The bike alarm still arms and disarms fine, and the bike turns on and off (and rides) fine.

I did have an issue a month ago where the battery was just too weak to turn off the alarm but this was quickly solved with a new battery which has been performing fine over the past month.

The indicator fuse has blown (15 amp) and immediately blows upon replacement.

When the bike is off and key removed, all of the electrics are also off as expected (so not running this weird "live" state constantly).

I have installed an alarm, back in November last year, but this has it's own fuses and wiring offshoot straight from the battery. Also the horn still operates as normal whereas every other electrical item on the bike seems messed up at the moment.

As I said, any help appreciated, I'm not a mechanic but I've performed the odd DIY job myself over the years on my bikes so I should be able to understand your responses!!

Thank you
Scott

 

[dean]

Sorry would help if I could but electrics is just wizardry and magic to me

 

[Mittzy]

Ok - first unplug or disconnect your alarm (to ensure NONE of the alarms electronics are conducted to the bike) and restore ign by pass as you want to discount the alarm causing this problem. If this problem is still persistant you may have a short circuit or a bad indicator relay (might have water in it????).
Are heated grips OEM wired? Or has previous owner installed/wired them?
Brake light will be righter a fuse, bulbs or switches.
The best anti theft module I have seen is @DEcosse 's keyless ignition - ask him about this.
Trace ALL wiring as you will find a short somewhere.
Just a thought---- have you bottomed out your rear suspension lately - if you have you may have damaged the wires running to the rear lights etc.

 

[Scottf83]

Ok - first unplug or disconnect your alarm (to ensure NONE of the alarms electronics are conducted to the bike) and restore ign by pass as you want to discount the alarm causing this problem. If this problem is still persistant you may have a short circuit or a bad indicator relay (might have water in it????).
Are heated grips OEM wired? Or has previous owner installed/wired them?
Brake light will be righter a fuse, bulbs or switches.
The best anti theft module I have seen is @DEcosse 's keyless ignition - ask him about this.
Trace ALL wiring as you will find a short somewhere.
Just a thought---- have you bottomed out your rear suspension lately - if you have you may have damaged the wires running to the rear lights etc.

Not sure whether they were OEM... but they're not 'branded'. I'd have to ask the dealership.

I've messaged Decosse, thank you for the lead

Not bottomed out the bike lately so don't think it's that! But it does look like I'll have to pull the bike apart this week end and play 'follow the wire'

 

[Scottf83]

I just found a Rocket 3 wiring diagram in someone's signature

Almost cried

Think I'll leave this one to the garage!!

I need to change the brake pads at the week end too. Nice simple, mechanical job. #lovelyjubbly

 

[DEcosse]

The horn, turns and brake light all work from same fuse.
I'm not sure how horn is working if fuse is blown - unless you have after-market air-horn powered by relay.
Regarding why fuse is blowing - as Mitzy suggests, first check harness under the fender.
Another issue could be with the turn signal cup itself - I know one of the other UK guys had issue where an after-market bulb was used and it pushed the center electrode of the bulb socket into the ground part causing a dead short.
Unplug all four corners from main harness; replace fuse; check that brake light works - if not (& fuse blows again) problem is with brake light circuit;
if brake light works, reconnect each corner one at a time and test flasher; when fuse blows you know which is the problem one.

I've messaged Decosse, thank you for the lead

Just a quick reply before going too far into it - the OEM alarm & my KeyLess system can't co-exist (well I suppose they could if I made up a special adapter - but kinda pointless to have hands-free system that would require the manual alarm key-fob as well)
In UK I know Insurance is real big on alarms - my system is not Thatcham approved so would not be considered for discount.
Also there is no 'alarm' as such, just RFID keyless system.
I can answer more questions in direct response.

 

[DEcosse]

I have installed an alarm, back in November last year, but this has it's own fuses and wiring offshoot straight from the battery.

Edit - I've just read this statement again ...
The factory type (Datatool) alarm normally connects directly to the OEM connector plug and that is what I initially presumed you had:
however if its is connected to the battery via "its own fuses" then I presume this is some after-market device you have self-installed?
Can you expand on that?

 

[Scottf83]

Edit - I've just read this statement again ...
The factory type (Datatool) alarm normally connects directly to the OEM connector plug and that is what I initially presumed you had:
however if its is connected to the battery via "its own fuses" then I presume this is some after-market device you have self-installed?
Can you expand on that?

Sorry I didn't mean to write alarm. It's an air horn that I installed in November! Which still works, and answers your other query and explains why it works when the other parts don't.

So that leaves the harness test, I can't picture what you mean so I'll find it at the weekend and try and perform the tests you describe.

Thank you

 

[DEcosse]

OK - that makes more sense!
Factory alarm then?

Your fuse should not blow immediately when you replace it - does it?
(it's not impossible for it to blow immediately, but is much more likely will only blow once the affected circuit is actually turned on i.e. brake switch or turn signal switch)
Ensure turn signal switch is canceled, replace fuse and turn on ignition - fuse should not blow right away (if it does, let me know)
Now - operate the brake (either one) - does fuse blow? Does brake light come on?
If brake lights, operate right signal - does it blow? Do Right signals operate?
If fuse does not blow and right signals light - operate left signal - does it blow?

 

[Scottf83]

OK - that makes more sense!
Factory alarm then?

Your fuse should not blow immediately when you replace it - does it?
(it's not impossible for it to blow immediately, but is much more likely will only blow once the affected circuit is actually turned on i.e. brake switch or turn signal switch)
Ensure turn signal switch is canceled, replace fuse and turn on ignition - fuse should not blow right away (if it does, let me know)
Now - operate the brake (either one) - does fuse blow? Does brake light come on?
If brake lights, operate right signal - does it blow? Do Right signals operate?
If fuse does not blow and right signals light - operate left signal - does it blow?

I believe the alarm was fitted about a year after purchase by the original owner but this was by an approved Triumph fitter so should have been done properly! And has been in there many years as it's a 2007 bike.

Thank you for the steps, I'll buy some fuses today and try it this evening.

The dealership let me know about the blowing fuse so I'm not 100% sure if this was post or pre engaging something on the circuit.