Electrical problems with rear wire harness

[Jared]

This morning I removed my fairing and tank in order to install a hardwire kit for my GPS. Before removing everything, all my accessories were working great. All my accessories (light bar, voltmeter, TFI, stereo, and now GPS) are connected to a fuse block that has a relay connected to it.

When I was done, I turned the bike on to make sure it was working correctly and nothing worked. After trouble shooting it, I realized that my rear brake light is not running and therefore it is not tripping the relay and allowing the accessories to work.

The rear turn signals are working, just the brake light isn't.

I didn't have time tinker to long. Had to get ready for work, but I wanted to see what you guys would recommend?

[ringadingh]

Have you checked the bulb and fuse?

[Jared]

Would the bulb cause it to not trip the relay?

[cactusjack]

1. Check your fuses. Chances are you blew the taillight fuse.

if the fuse is okay,

2. Work backwards from the relay to the where it connects to the taillight circuit. Then check the direct power connection to the relay.

Electrical troubleshooting logic: if it worked before you messed with it, retrace your work until you find where you screwed up.

[ringadingh]

If you connected the relay to the brakelight it should only work when the brake pedal is activated, not a good source to connect a relay to. If thats what youve done you will need to find another circuit to trigger the relay.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

If you connected the relay to the brakelight it should only work when the brake pedal is activated, not a good source to connect a relay to. If thats what youve done you will need to find another circuit to trigger the relay.

I assumed he meant the taillight. ::)

[ringadingh]

That would have been a much better choice,but you still have to eliminate all the possibility's

[Jared]

Yes. Sorry, I meant tail light.

[Jared]

Problem fixed. :)

There was a bad connection which was touching off and on. After securing the connection, all is well.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Glad you got that one figured out Jared. Usually once you have taken things apart something doesn get connected back correctly if a problem occurs.

[ringadingh]

To avoid problems down the road you should solder and heat shrink your connections as much as you can. That really helps insure trouble free wiring.

[macmac]

Depending on how good a guy is or isn't, sometimes it's best to disconnect the battery before working on wiring, and sometimes it's just fine to work with a hot system.

It can be wise to work slow and hang ot tie wires in bundles and maybe flag them with tape, so they are not forgotten.

Mosy of any problems I have wiring are from working to fast, and forgetting a wire, sometimes stuffin a connector that won't stay stuffed the first time.