Blinking Reverse Light

[jazzrider]

My reverse light on my 2006 is blinking rapidly. It did it a few time this summer but usually reset by turning the ignition switch off then back on. I've check all the relays under the seat, they seem ok. I checked the connection over the dip stick it's tight. (not sure how to check that switch to see if its ok) The button works cause in neutral when pushed the neutral light goes off. Bike starts and runs ok the cruise won't engage though, The light comes on but won't set.
Any ideas before I take it to the shop?

[Wingbangdoodle]

Did no one really answer this??? I have the same problem...wtf?

[tamathumper]

This is very common and you'll find responses to the same question here and on other popular forums.

Unfortunately the reverse circuit is very complex with many micro-switches, relays, cables and connectors.

When it happened to me it was the micro-switch inside the reverse actuator having broken away from its mounting pins and acting intermittently once, and then failing utterly and stranding me far from home for several days.

There are several failure modes, and you'll probably have to describe your symptoms exactly and iterate through some tests to pinpoint the actual failure.

[WingAdmin]

The problem with questions like this on the forum about complex systems like reverse and cruise control is just that - they are complex, with many different potential points of failure. The service manual for the 2006 has over ten pages of troubleshooting diagnostic steps just to figure out which part of the reverse system is at fault. Trying to duplicate that in a forum posting is tough.

[Asphaltmaniac]

Is the fuse blown or perhaps in your case the fuse is tarnished or crusty. On my 06 its a 15 amp at the bottom Left. I pulled it and switched the ignition on and hit the reverse button and was rewarded with a rapidly flashing reverse light...
Then I noticed the contacts on the fuse looked a little tarnished and I could see crusties on the plastic that apparently scraped off the fuse contacts as it was removed. That fuse is factory and until now Ive never touched it.
So my project today is to pull each fuse and examine the contacts for signs of tarnish and corrosion.

[Terry D]

I had discovered tarnished fuses, also and found a product that cleaned the entire fuse box. The product is used in the Air Conditioning world to clean the outside Condensers. It is called Coil Rite and it is sold in 1 Gallon Containers. This product is also good to spray on the engine and anywhere dirt, oily grime and junk around the engine, etc. It will not harm painted surfaces. I mix it in one quart spray bottles about 1:1 with water. After applying it and let it set for about a minute I hose it off. My son-in-law had a fuse that corroded on his Harley and the bike would just quit on the highway. Harley could not diagnose the problem and sent him home. It failed on him again but the bike would restart after sitting. I told him to bring it to me and I'll try to find the problem. Within 10 minutes of checking, I found the corroded fuse that Harley could not after having the bike for several days. I cleaned the entire fuse box and using a tooth brush and dipping each fuse in the Coil Rite solution I fixed his problem and it never came back.

[Asphaltmaniac]

I had discovered tarnished fuses, also and found a product that cleaned the entire fuse box. The product is used in the Air Conditioning world to clean the outside Condensers. It is called Coil Rite and it is sold in 1 Gallon Containers. This product is also good to spray on the engine and anywhere dirt, oily grime and junk around the engine, etc. It will not harm painted surfaces. I mix it in one quart spray bottles about 1:1 with water. After applying it and let it set for about a minute I hose it off. My son-in-law had a fuse that corroded on his Harley and the bike would just quit on the highway. Harley could not diagnose the problem and sent him home. It failed on him again but the bike would restart after sitting. I told him to bring it to me and I'll try to find the problem. Within 10 minutes of checking, I found the corroded fuse that Harley could not after having the bike for several days. I cleaned the entire fuse box and using a tooth brush and dipping each fuse in the Coil Rite solution I fixed his problem and it never came back.

I did that cleaning project yesterday and almost all the fuses showed tarnish. But on a side note, Ive used that coil cleaner for deep cleaning the radiators of the 1800 when I had them out a few years back.Good stuff! But to clean the fuse contacts all it took was a few swipes from a brass bristle brush. Then put a few drops of electronic cleaner on the fuse spade and reinserted/removed the fuse several times then blew out that area with a little compressed air.
I do all my own work and always check electrical connections for cleanliness when things are apart.
But never considered looking at the fuse spades.
Live and learn, eh?

[ride0169]

I've used ( Corrosion X ) I got some at Aviation store. Works excellent! Probably can get at other Stores. I had a car I bought that had been sitting along time, the horn didn't work so I sprayed it on the connecter next day worked! I highly recommend it.