Blowing a fuse

Hi everyone, I recently purchased a Gen 5 VFR 800 which has been on my list for a very long time, it has only travelled 33000 km. I took it out the other day and realised the indicators and horn weren't working, the lads I was riding with said the brake light wasn't working either. I replaced the 10amp fuse but it blew instantly when I turned the ignition key on, just wondering if this is something others have had an issue with as haven't been able to find any defective wiring as yet. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

our member GRUM is the foremost expert on matters electrical and a fellow-countryman of yours.

try unplugging all the things on that bad circuit then connect one plug at a time until the fuse blows. removing the rear plastics might make fault tracing easier. if you can read a wiring diagram, even better.

 

Have a close look at your front brake switch and wires, make sure the switch terminals are not touching frame or the brake master cylinder, this is a common cause.
The turn relay might also be suspicious if when replacing the fuse it blows instantly, its about the only device powered directly from that fuse, brake lights, horn all have switches involved. Check the rear brake switch for damaged wiring shorting to frame.

 

Instead of sacrificing fuses, you could try a multimeter. Disconnect the battery for safety and pull the offending fuse. Set the meter to a continuity check (Ohms), and stick one lead in the outgoing side of the fuse holder that leads to the lights, horn. Secure the other lead to a good frame ground and key on your ignition switch. You should see some resistance, a short would be around 0 ohms. If you manage to read the 0 ohm short, then start unplugging stuff in the circuit and see when you get a resistance reading back.

 

Good suggestion vfrgiving. But there is no need to turn on the ignition.
With the fuse removed you will be probing the load side of the fuse terminal to ground to see the short. Ignition to off.

 

You're right, ignition switch doesn't matter for this since it's before the fuse.

 

Got the rear plastics off, tank is a bit more of a fiddle, thanks for your input.

 

Thanks for that, the turn relay sounds like a prime suspect!!

 

Thanks for all your suggestions lads, I found the issue, turns out the front brake switch wiring was shorting out on the handle bar, all sorted now!! Great forum this, appreciate the input.

 

just exactly what grum suggested, brilliant bloke.

 

Thanks Squirrelman ya makin me blush.
Glad it was a simple fix for Jason.
Where in Oz are you Jason?

 

Hi Jason

Great to hear you found the fault.

As the old saying goes - a picture saves a thousand words - is there any chance you took a photo of the offending component - in situ - which you could post up here as it may help others with similar problems track down a fault.

Welcome to the MadHouse.

When you get time please add a post in the introductions to say Hi to the rest of the folks on the forum and tell us a bit about your VFR, your riding history and add a photo of your VFR before folks start raggin on you - it is easy just click the "upload a file" link then follow prompts to select and upload an image from your computer. You may want to update your forum profile to include an approximate location city/Island? which will appear automatically beside all your posts. If you need help with a problem you may then be lucky and find someone on the forum is willing to swing by and offer advice or pick up a wrench especially if you have a well stocked beer fridge.

You might also catch up with other forum members and check out that amazing V4 roar.

Take Care ATGATT



SkiMad

 

I had exactly the same thing happen to my 99 last year. Glad you found the issue easily.