15 AMP Signal fuse, Keeps blowin

[Saddle_Bag]

At my wits end, I had an issue a while back with a short in an aux light. The stainless steel brake line rubbed thru the insulation and shorted out, blowing the "signal" fuse. I corrected the problem and repaired /replaced the wire. I removed the wiringbut left the lights in place to be rewired maybe in the fall. Out of the clear blue, the fuse starts blowing again, taking out the brake lights ,dash and turn signals. It would happen coming to a stop or sitting with the brakes on. I checked the brake wiring. I thought I had it down to the brake light switch. I disconnected one and drove it and then disconnected the other. The fuse, number 9 so-far, held. I started the bike and began to back out of the garage. With no brake applied, the fuse blew and the bike stopped running. It would restart and run. Any thoughts?? joe

[nyjerry]

Check the fuse holder ends. They are Known to get weak and start blowing fuses. I had to change all of mine to inline fuses. the little metal clips just kept braking. Its no fun losing your headlights at night a couple hundred miles from home.

Jerry

[Saddle_Bag]

Fuse holder appear to be OK. I am beginning to look closer at the brake light switches top and bottom, and because the last time the motor quit when the fuse blew, the kick stand switch. Anyone have problems with these things, or am I on a goose chase. joe

[Brake Pad]

Brother your grounding somewhere,

run the lines from each fuse, maybe a pinched wire

[Gearhead]

With no brake applied, the fuse blew and the bike stopped running. It would restart and run.

 

 

This is what I find strange. How does blowing the signal fuse kill the engine? And are you saying you've had problems with the kick stand switch before? That WILL kill the engine and is fairly common, but shouldn't be related to the signal fuse. How did you fix that situation?

 

I recently had the Virago blow the signal AND tail light fuse at the same time. Weird, thinks I. It ended up being one of the tail/brake bulbs. The glass part had come completely loose from the base, leaving behind the internal wires that connect the base to the filiments. They are uninsulated and were intermittently contacting the grounded base, causing both fuses to blow.

 

Jeremy

[Saddle_Bag]

I also thought it was weird that the last time the fuse blew, the motor stopped. Times before, if the fuse blew, the kick stand switch didn't work. If that fuse blew, I could start the bike and ride it with the kick stand down. I caught this moving the bike thru a parking lot, looking for a spot to pull the cover and replace one of many fuses that has blown. I thought because the motor stopped, the switch might be a nice place to start. I'm going into it tomorrow, just got back from the beach for the 4th. Any thoughts on the kick stand switch be the problem??? I have pulled the seat, the tail light assembly and the head light connection, and have not found any bare wires. I really hate thinking about cutting into the bundles of wires along the frame for a short. joe

[Neil86]

If it were my bike, I'd make a list of every "add on" accessory that is wired into the bike...and trace each one back to see whats on what circuit. It sure sounds like a cross connection has been made between the sidestand switch circuit and the signal fuse circuit.

[Saddle_Bag]

Neil, I was kinda hopin you would chime in. I started last week and removed all wires that feed the aux lights . The front bumper and rear bumper lights look good but all the make shift wiring has been pulled and the lights are out for now. It will be winter project to re-wire all of them. The front handle bar brake light switch causes the dash lights to dim , not alot but very noticeable. Electrical problems are a pain. joe

[Neil86]

Just so I have this 100% straight in my brain...when you signal fuse is intact...the sidestand switch works......when that fuse is blown...the sidestand switch interlock no longer works...correct?

Yamaha changed the wiring abit over the years...is your CMS blank when the fuse blows, and if it isn't....does your sidestand icon show up even tho the interlock doesn't operate?

[Saddle_Bag]

Yep, When the fuse blows the display on the dash is blank. The side stand switch does not function. I can move the bike with it in gear and the side stand down. I have no turn signals and no brake lights. Tail lights work and the front running lights work. joe

[Saddle_Bag]

Sorry, when the fuse is intact, the side stand switch works. joe

[Saddle_Bag]

I re-checked the wiring from front to back , and rewrapped three bundles in the area of the tripple tree that come close to the stainless steel brake line to the left front. I have concerns with two switches, the left hand brake switch and the side stand switch. The brake switch causes the dash lights to dim noticibly went pulled, and the last fuse that went caused the engine to stall (like the side stand was put down). I'm planning on replacing both switches today. Cheap up grade for two 20+ year old electrical parts. joe

[Saddle_Bag]

Both are in, Rainin............... Won't know til tomorrow if I did any good or not. Does anyone know How to test the side stand switch??? There is some dark discoloration on the base, in what appears to be some type of hardened sealant. The new one is milky white. joe

[Saddle_Bag]

Ok, put both the brake switch and the side stand switch in. My question, is the side stand switch tied into the signal fuse? With the old switch in place, I had no display and was able to drive the bike with the side stand down. The display remained blank. With the new switch in place, I pulled the signal fuse and started the bike. The display was still blank. With the side stand down, I pulled the clutch and put the bike in first. The display lite and the computer ran thru the start up mode and the side stand light remained on. Is this an indicator of a bad side stand switch? I have ridden the bike for about 20 min. and the fuse has not blown yet. Really looks odd, riding with all the plastic off. joe

[Neil86]

According to my 83 manual (different on 86-93 manual) the signal fuse supplies power to signals, horns, tach, temp gauge , voltmeter, and the CMS.

So with fuse pulled or blown, you should have no CMS display.

If you're saying with the new sidestand switch the CMS starts and cycles with the signal fuse pulled....I would be looking for a cross connection.

Have a look at the wiring in instrument panel (remove windshield, and instrument hood)for any obvious mods.