Turn signal fuse keeps blowing.

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by S.U.A.R, Nov 9, 2007.

  1. S.U.A.R

    S.U.A.R New Member

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    New to me, very clean '98 interceptor. All of a sudden the turn signals quit working. Checked the fuse and it is blown. Replaced with new 10 amp fuse, turned ignition, and it immediately blew again. Replaced with 20 amp fuse, same problem. Front running lights continue to work, even after fuse is blown, but they go out when I activate turn signal. Help? I am not a great mechanic and have run out of ideas. Any ideas greatly appreciated.
     
  2. Pearl-93

    Pearl-93 New Member

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    Sounds like you have a short somewhere.

    Had the same problem a few months back.
    Turns out one of the rear turnsignal wires was semi-out of the wire connector.

    If the electrical current running through the turnsignal wires can not ground/ or + juice doesn't have anywhere to go (shorted wire or disconected wire) your fuse will blow.
    Thats part of the reason fuses are in place....if theres a problem it stops the ability for juice to run through it...and prevents what could be a major problem if it were allowed to continue.

    So you know this so far. its in the blinkers probably or the headlight wires possibly, since you said headlight goes out after fuse blows.

    1. clean all contacts to headlight and blinkers.
    2. trace the wires from fusebox to blikers and headlight.
    Look for disconnected relays, or electrical connectors, wires that
    appear burnt or damaged in any way.

    Mine was on a 3rd gen '93 vfr, but I would guess your problem is the same.
    Probably a short to neg. (-) wire somewhere in the blinker wires.

    Hope this helps
    -Steve
     
  3. Bubba Zanetti

    Bubba Zanetti Member

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    I 2nd Pearl's idea!

    Keep us posted!

    BZ
     
  4. Longerfellow

    Longerfellow New Member

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    If it happens right when turns on the ignition wouldn't it be an issue with the running lights up front since the rears don't power up until you signal?
     
  5. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    start by unplugging one light at a time to localize problem
     

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  6. S.U.A.R

    S.U.A.R New Member

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    Thanks for the great tips so far. I'll start chasing wires in the next few days and post my results. Keep the ideas coming.
     
  7. eddievalleytrailer

    eddievalleytrailer Member

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    Never replace a fuse with a higher amp fuse than is recomended by Honda!! The circuit is only designed to handle the specified current.
    Which side makes the fuse blow? Left or Right? If either, I'd check the switch first. If one or the other, that'll narrow your search. The wire for that side (front or rear) may have been pinched, and grounding on the frame.
     
  8. green1

    green1 New Member

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    Open circuits don't blow fuses,electricity with no where to go goes nowhere,short circuits blow fuses.When looking for your short you can replace the fuse with a light bulb if you have an old socket and bulb kicking around,modify the 2 wires of the socket to plug into the fuse contacts and it repaces the fuse.Now as you search for the short the light will be on as its the load in the circuit,when you find or unplug the short,or the section of harness with the short in it the light will go out as you took away the path to ground.I use an old headlight bulb for this purpose,hope it makes sense and its a little easier on the spare fuses
     
  9. masonv45

    masonv45 New Member

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    Doing it this way you go through a lot of fuses.

    Start by disconnecting all the lights.

    Turn the power on - check fuse.

    Connect one light - check fuse.

    Repeat previous step until fuse blows or all 4 lights are working.

    If all 4 lights are working, then insulation has rubbed off a wire somewhere and is hitting ground. Find it or risk the fuse blowing again down the road.
     
  10. S.U.A.R

    S.U.A.R New Member

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    Problem solved

    Thanks for the great tips. Had the bike in the shop for oil change and the dealer fixed it. Turn signal switch housing was loose and had rotated downward, causing the turn signal wire to pinch, resulting in the short and blown fuse. Thanks again for the help. VFR world is a great resource.
     
  11. pontiacformula99

    pontiacformula99 New Member

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    Hey that light bulb in the fuse socket trick is pretty smart. 10yrs in car audio chasing wires and blown fuses and I've never heard that before. That would've saved me a ton of money in fuses over the years. Great Tip!

    There was someone else on here that had the same problem about a year ago... He said if it kept doing it to wrap electrical tape around the bar so that the wire can't ground out to the bars.
     
  12. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    that's a great piece of advice. I'm gonna have to modify a flashlight bulb for that purpose even though I don't need it right now. You never know when that'll come in handy.
     
  13. eddievalleytrailer

    eddievalleytrailer Member

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    I just use a 12v test light.
     
  14. marty_uiuc

    marty_uiuc New Member

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    sorry to bring this back from the dead, but i am having a similar problem with my '98 vfr. i've put a dvom on the signal and brake light plugs of the bike, here are the results:

    L turn signal - shorted (F/R)
    R turn signal - shorted (F/R)
    rear brake light - shorted
    rear running light - NOT shorted
    front running light - NOT shorted (L/R)

    i have taken apart the turn signal switch, and everything looks okay in there - no pinched wires or insulation burned/rubbed off.

    i am wondering if maybe the turn signal relay has died, however that seems like it shouldn't stop the brake light from working. since i do not have the factory service manual, might one of you friendly people tell me where it is located?
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2008
  15. Joey_Dude

    Joey_Dude Member

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    You can get the electronic version of the service manual at Downloads You'll have to register with them before you can download it. It's a freebie so no big deal.
     
  16. marty_uiuc

    marty_uiuc New Member

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    thanks for the link! hopefully i can figure out what is wrong tonite...
     
  17. marty_uiuc

    marty_uiuc New Member

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    well, after ripping all the plastics off the bike and going through all the connector behind the dash, i just happened to glance at the brake light switch on the clip-on. it was fouling on the handle!

    at least the fix was pretty easy ;)
     
  18. Lgn001

    Lgn001 Member

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    Hi guys. Thanks for the follow-ups! It is always good to find out what the resolution was. There have been some strange problems posted that just go away, and it always leaves me curious as to what it was.
     
  19. dizzy

    dizzy New Member

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    Alternative method for troubleshooting "dead" shorts...replace the fuse with a rolled up chewing gum wrapper and watch for the smoke...haha, just kidding. Great advice and knowledge from Green1...apparently been around some circuits before.
     
  20. VsVFR

    VsVFR New Member

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    All right, kind of along the same topic, my turn signals quit working last night on the ride home from work. I remembered seeing this topic and some others on the forum, so I read up a little before tearing into the bike. First thing I did was check the fuse. No problem found, fuse was still good.

    So, puzzled I looked around a few more minutes before cranking the bike and hitting the turn signal switch, which worked this time. So my question is if I had a short would it necessarily cause a fuse to blow, or could it end up being intermittent with no blown fuse?

    Vs
     
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