Brake fuse keeps blowing

nighthawk11 · 07-23-2008, 08:22 PM

Here's the scenario; with the bike on I have a good tailight, as soon as I hit the brake pedal, the brake light fuse blows. Is there a relay in there somewhere I should check, along with the wiring?
Thanks, Mark...

ells · 07-23-2008, 08:52 PM

Does it blow when you sqeeze the front brake also? If it does or doesn't, I don't have the answer but should help narrow it down, each has a separate switch that can go bad.

cactusjack · 07-23-2008, 08:55 PM

You've got a dead short, most likely. Like Ells suggested, try it and see if it happens only if you pull the brake lever or the brake pedal, or both. That may help narrow it down.

nighthawk11 · 07-23-2008, 09:19 PM

Was going to try just that, but I ran out of 10AMP fuses, and it's dark. It'll have to wait till tomorrow now. I know it happens when I pull the brake lever. Never got to try the pedal. That would narrow it down a bit.

07-23-2008, 09:20 PM

Chances are the wire's rubbed through right on the underside of the fender where it's clipped to the metal.

blowndodge · 07-23-2008, 11:23 PM

I'm betting that is it cadd. That is a rather vunerable mounting point for that wire.

nighthawk11 · 07-24-2008, 06:45 AM

After I isolate that it is, or is not a brake switch problem, I'm going to check all the tailight wiring. I just hate chasing sparks. I had a similar problem once with my old Honda Shadow, except it was the headlight. The previous owner had wired the spotlights onto the headlight wiring, instead of making a new circuit. One of the wires inside the headlight had eventually rubbed all the coating off and was grounding inside the bucket. I chased that one for a day or two. Hopefully, this will be an easy fix.

**scion0** · 07-24-2008, 08:44 AM

Good luck. I am sure you'll let us know the outcome.

nighthawk11 · 07-24-2008, 02:54 PM

ok, outcome was positve and an easy fix. It appears the wires going through the fender pass through a rubber grommet. This grommet had moved, letting the wires rub on the fender. After looking closer at the wiring, it was clear this was the culprit causing the ground. I moved the wire so it wouldn't touch, popped in a new fuse, checked both brake lever and pedal, and VIOLA, lights worked. I wrapped the wire, glued the grommet back into it's proper place, and she should be good to go for long while. Thanks for the help guys...

radco · 07-24-2008, 08:24 PM

AH CRAP Cadd was RIGHT :-/ Glad you got it fixed,, THANKS for the UPDATE Rich

07-24-2008, 08:49 PM

99% of all motorcycles eventually short out right there at that hole through the fender or just under the fender, or at the hole where the tail light is.

It's kinda like tellin' a guy that if you wanna catch a fish try throwin a hook in the water. ;)

VulcanE · 07-25-2008, 09:14 AM

Glad it was a simple fix, now you can go RIDE!

**Cajunrider** · 07-25-2008, 11:27 AM

I love this site! There aren't enough books on the shelves to hold all of the knowledge and experience we have right at our fingertips.

nighthawk11 · 07-26-2008, 06:28 AM

I agree...

07-26-2008, 04:48 PM

07-23-2008, 08:22 PM	#1
nighthawk11 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL. Posts: 306	Brake fuse keeps blowing Here's the scenario; with the bike on I have a good tailight, as soon as I hit the brake pedal, the brake light fuse blows. Is there a relay in there somewhere I should check, along with the wiring? Thanks, Mark... Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

07-23-2008, 08:52 PM	#2
ells Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Boulder County, Colorado Posts: 2,014	Brake fuse keeps blowing Does it blow when you sqeeze the front brake also? If it does or doesn't, I don't have the answer but should help narrow it down, each has a separate switch that can go bad.
	0

07-23-2008, 08:55 PM	#3
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Brake fuse keeps blowing You've got a dead short, most likely. Like Ells suggested, try it and see if it happens only if you pull the brake lever or the brake pedal, or both. That may help narrow it down. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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07-23-2008, 09:19 PM	#4
nighthawk11 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL. Posts: 306	Brake fuse keeps blowing Was going to try just that, but I ran out of 10AMP fuses, and it's dark. It'll have to wait till tomorrow now. I know it happens when I pull the brake lever. Never got to try the pedal. That would narrow it down a bit.
	0

07-23-2008, 09:20 PM	#5
Guest Posts: n/a	Brake fuse keeps blowing Chances are the wire's rubbed through right on the underside of the fender where it's clipped to the metal. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-23-2008, 11:23 PM	#6
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Brake fuse keeps blowing I'm betting that is it cadd. That is a rather vunerable mounting point for that wire. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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07-24-2008, 06:45 AM	#7
nighthawk11 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL. Posts: 306	Brake fuse keeps blowing After I isolate that it is, or is not a brake switch problem, I'm going to check all the tailight wiring. I just hate chasing sparks. I had a similar problem once with my old Honda Shadow, except it was the headlight. The previous owner had wired the spotlights onto the headlight wiring, instead of making a new circuit. One of the wires inside the headlight had eventually rubbed all the coating off and was grounding inside the bucket. I chased that one for a day or two. Hopefully, this will be an easy fix.
	0

07-24-2008, 08:44 AM	#8
scion0 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Peoria, Illinois Posts: 1,507	Brake fuse keeps blowing Good luck. I am sure you'll let us know the outcome. __________________ ___________________ Mike "Scion0" VBA#: 0097 Former VBA North Central Asst Regional Leader St Jude Rides Peoria to Memphis Rider Retired MSgt, USAF (1979 -99) "Don't sweat the small stuff, and it's all small stuff!" Current ride: 2012 H-D Ultra FLHTCU (Black) Past ride: 2007 Black Nomad
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07-24-2008, 02:54 PM	#9
nighthawk11 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL. Posts: 306	Brake fuse keeps blowing ok, outcome was positve and an easy fix. It appears the wires going through the fender pass through a rubber grommet. This grommet had moved, letting the wires rub on the fender. After looking closer at the wiring, it was clear this was the culprit causing the ground. I moved the wire so it wouldn't touch, popped in a new fuse, checked both brake lever and pedal, and VIOLA, lights worked. I wrapped the wire, glued the grommet back into it's proper place, and she should be good to go for long while. Thanks for the help guys...
	0

07-24-2008, 08:24 PM	#10
radco Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dedham Maine Posts: 4,199	Brake fuse keeps blowing AH CRAP Cadd was RIGHT :-/ Glad you got it fixed,, THANKS for the UPDATE Rich __________________
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07-24-2008, 08:49 PM	#11
Guest Posts: n/a	Brake fuse keeps blowing 99% of all motorcycles eventually short out right there at that hole through the fender or just under the fender, or at the hole where the tail light is. It's kinda like tellin' a guy that if you wanna catch a fish try throwin a hook in the water. ;)
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07-25-2008, 09:14 AM	#12
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	Brake fuse keeps blowing Glad it was a simple fix, now you can go RIDE! __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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07-25-2008, 11:27 AM	#13
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Brake fuse keeps blowing I love this site! There aren't enough books on the shelves to hold all of the knowledge and experience we have right at our fingertips. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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07-26-2008, 06:28 AM	#14
nighthawk11 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL. Posts: 306	Brake fuse keeps blowing I agree...
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07-26-2008, 04:48 PM	#15
Guest Posts: n/a	Brake fuse keeps blowing
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