Holy Electrical Problems, Batman!

[Lotsokids]

I took a ride today, but on my way home I noticed the following:

- No right turn signal. Left signal worked fine.
- No tach indication.
- The fuel gauge (which never worked) needle ended up on the right side of the stop post and was bouncing around at about the 4:00 to 5:00 position.
- The needle was broken off on my aftermarket oil temp gauge and laying at the bottom of the gauge.

When I got home:
- No left turn signal at all.
- No neutral light.

I checked the fuses and found one blown. After I replaced it, the tach and left turn signal worked... but here's the goofy part - when I turned on my right turn signal, my tail light and neutral light started to flash, but not the right turn signals. I hit the right side of my fairing with my hand, and it started working normal again... but sometimes would momentarily go back off and flash the neutral light and tail light.

How on earth can this be? I even disconnected my oil temp gauge, but that didn't make a difference.

[rktmanfj]

I would guess that you have an intermittent short in the right turn signal circuit.

The flashing of the neutral and tail light would be because the rest of the lighting circuit is being loaded when the flasher is trying to light the right turn signal.

Try changing the bulbs first.

[rktmanfj]

Where did you mount the temp gauge and power it from?

[Mark Olson]

your wire loom is suspect.

it travels on the right hand side of your bike near the rh air scoop and you have to remove the faring to properly inspect it .

your loom has probably worn thru and is grounding against the frame and the other wires in it.

check the connectors while you are in there.

[Lotsokids]

Where did you mount the temp gauge and power it from?

Power is direct from the battery, and the backlighting (which always worked) was wired to the switched 12V at the tail light. I cut the wire off the tail light, but it didn't make any difference.

[RichBaker]

The blown fuse is an indication of a short circuit, possibly related to the turn sig problem....  you need to inspect the wiring harness, especialy where it runs around the steering head.  It could also be related to the temp gauge wiring....