Electrical Problem

[twittercat]

After replacing the stem bearings on my 05 Nomad I put everything back together (without any parts left over - surprise!) my taillight/brakelight and the front running lights do not come on when the ignition is turned on. The turn signals work though. I checked the fuses, all good, that's about all I did, 'cause I've never been good at electrical problems. ??? Anyone have any suggestions on what or where I need to start on this fix?
Any help will be greatly appreciated. :)

[cactusjack]

You need to look at areas you may have touched when replacing your head bearings. Check the connectors in the headlight bucket, and any other connectors you may have moved or disconnected during your work. Check the wiring at the ignition switch itself if you unplugged the connectors.

[ringadingh]

Check all the plugs in the headlight bucket for a good connection.

[VulcanE]

I just finished this project myself. Make sure ALL the plug-ins in the head light bucket are plugged in. Except for the 6 wires that go to your front turns, you can't mix them up. On the 6 wires going to the turns, I have written inside the headlight bucket with a sharpie, what color plugs to what color. I would guess that you may have some of these plugged up wrong. Also, like the others have said, "check every connection in any area you may have been working".
If your standing in front of the bike facing it, what I have written inside the bucket looks like this

(This is written on the left as you face the bike)
Right Light--------Right Bike
Green.................Grey
BLK w/ Yellow.....BLK w/ Yellow
Blue....................Red w/Blue

(And this is written on the right as you face the bike)
Left Light---------Left Bike
Green.................Dark Green
BLK w/ Yellow.....BLK w/ Yellow
Blue....................Red w/Blue

I did this because every time I remove the fairing, I remove the spot lights for some extra room, and the turns are mounted on the spot light bar.

[twittercat]

OK, as I said, I don't do well when it comes to anything dealing with electricity. I DID check the fuses using one of those little fuse checkers with a light that comes on when you touch the probes on the end of the fuse (the fuse still in the fuse box. The light came on as it should. Well, what I learned is that what the fuse checker did is complete the loop of electricity on the fuse box, bypassing the bad fuse. DOHHH!!
In other words, next time I check a fuse, I'll actually pull it, LOOK at it to see that it's still good.
So I replaced the BLOWN fuse, and now it's time to put 'er all back together and go for a ride.
Another life lesson to pass onto my grandkids.
Thanks to Cactusjack, Ringadingh, and VulcanE for your input, and thanks for not laughing too loud!!

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by twittercat

OK, as I said, I don't do well when it comes to anything dealing with electricity. I DID check the fuses using one of those little fuse checkers with a light that comes on when you touch the probes on the end of the fuse (the fuse still in the fuse box. The light came on as it should. Well, what I learned is that what the fuse checker did is complete the loop of electricity on the fuse box, bypassing the bad fuse. DOHHH!!
In other words, next time I check a fuse, I'll actually pull it, LOOK at it to see that it's still good.
So I replaced the BLOWN fuse, and now it's time to put 'er all back together and go for a ride.
Another life lesson to pass onto my grandkids.
Thanks to Cactusjack, Ringadingh, and VulcanE for your input, and thanks for not laughing too loud!!

I'm happy you found the problem ans have it corrected. Yes, always test fuses out of the circuit.

[VulcanE]

Glad you got it done. I have learned that you can't tell if a fuse is blown simply bu pulling it out and looking at it. I use a volt meter (analog) and set it to ohms to check the fuses.

[twittercat]

Originally Posted by VulcanE

Glad you got it done. I have learned that you can't tell if a fuse is blown simply bu pulling it out and looking at it. I use a volt meter (analog) and set it to ohms to check the fuses.

I guess I need to learn how to use a volt meter
Ohms... isn't that what you say when you're doing your Buddist chants?

[VulcanE]

I have an analog and a digital volt meter. They each have their good points for different applications.

[twittercat]

Originally Posted by VulcanE

I have an analog and a digital volt meter. They each have their good points for different applications.

Your'e not making this any easier LOL
Now I gotta figure out two types of volt meters? This will hurt my head....

[michiganmike]

About the only people with analog meters these days are people that have had them for a long time. You can still get them, but almost all meters are digital.

[macmac]

twittercat, Go to wally world and buy a ice pick test light for $4.00.

[VulcanE]

Originally Posted by twittercat

Your'e not making this any easier LOL
Now I gotta figure out two types of volt meters? This will hurt my head....

Twittercat, you can get both types of meters real cheap, But if I could only have one, it would be the analog. You can spend as much (up-wards of $400 to $4 for a digital and an analog, for a cheap one, around $4). As far as our bikes are concerned, the EL Cheap-O works just fine. They do come with instructions, and you do have the option of this great forum for pointers too! ;)

[twittercat]

Originally Posted by macmac

twittercat, Go to wally world and buy a ice pick test light for $4.00.

That I know how to use, let's me know when I missed the wire I'm testing, pokes a really nice hole in my finger.
Seriuosly though, I'm sure this electrical stuff isn't rocket science and I'll do some reading on the subject, heck who knows, maybe I'll take a class on it during the winter months (when my job isn't so demanding) at the local Junior College. .
Then watch out, I'll know just enough to catch the whole wire harness on fire....

[VulcanE]

I forgot, that "ice-pick" test light that Mac was talking about........That is another REAL HANDY device to have.