Locating a short at fuse 8 tail, meter and position


Information and questions on GL1500 Goldwings (1988-2000)
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dtasker
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2021 8:57 pm
Location: Oelwein, IA
Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500A Aspencade
1983 CB650SC Night Hawk

Locating a short at fuse 8 tail, meter and position

Post by dtasker »



While riding my 2000 GL1500A I noticed that the temperature gage was not at its normal temperature and after putting gas in the bike that the fuel gage did not register as being full. The next time I had the bike out for a ride I noticed that both the fuel and the temperature gages were not working. I discovered that I had no tail or position lights and or overdrive light did not come on when in fifth gear. When I checked fuse #8 it was blown. I replaced it and as soon as I turn the key on the fuse blew again. I have a tone generator and receiver that I thought I might be able to use to find the short but am not having any luck. Have any members had a short problem and been able to locate the problem?


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Rambozo
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Motorcycle: 1992 GL1500 Aspencade
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Re: Locating a short at fuse 8 tail, meter and position

Post by Rambozo »

The first thing to look at are any aftermarket additions, lights, trailer plug, electronics, etc.
dtasker
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2021 8:57 pm
Location: Oelwein, IA
Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500A Aspencade
1983 CB650SC Night Hawk

Re: Locating a short at fuse 8 tail, meter and position

Post by dtasker »

Thanks for the tip! The bike does have a trailer hitch. With trailer plugged in the brake and turn signal lights work but not the tail lights. I am going to take the LH saddle bag off so I can check relays and I will look at the trailer wiring. At the front of the bike I have added LED driving lights and replaced the headlights and position lights with LEDs. I removed all of the front lights to inspect the wiring but every thing was ok and the short is still active.
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Swagonmaster
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Location: Stokesdale, NC
Motorcycle: 1990 gl1500 SE

Re: Locating a short at fuse 8 tail, meter and position

Post by Swagonmaster »

If you have done any work on the bike recently that would be a good place to start, easy to pinch a wire and not even know it.
Try to learn from the mistakes of others..... you won't live long enough to make them all yourself!
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AZgl1800
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Re: Locating a short at fuse 8 tail, meter and position

Post by AZgl1800 »

Replace that fuse with a running light.
If there is a short, it will glow, how bright it glows will be determined by how bad the short is.

Once you wiggle something, and that light flickers, you are hot on the trail to a Fix.
~John

2009 Piaggio MP3 250cc

https://i.imgur.com/4SOFPYS.jpg
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Swagonmaster
Posts: 504
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2017 3:30 pm
Location: Stokesdale, NC
Motorcycle: 1990 gl1500 SE

Re: Locating a short at fuse 8 tail, meter and position

Post by Swagonmaster »

I would suggest taking the major connectors under the seat apart and see if the fuse still blows and what if any lights are working in the front. After that you could check individual wires (tail, brake and turn) in the rear to see if you can at least find which circuit is giving the problem. After that of course life gets more interesting since you will have to start pulling trunk and bags perhaps to actually find your short


Try to learn from the mistakes of others..... you won't live long enough to make them all yourself!
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