Blown fuse? Electrical issues

[ponchopirate]

I went to start my bike up today and it cranked for about a second and then stopped.  The starter button does nothing now and my headlight is dead.  However, the oil light still comes on very faintly when I turn the ignition to on.  I took my battery to Kragen to have it tested and they said it was a little low but should be able to turn a bike over just fine.  Could this be a fuse issue?  I was trying to find it to check it out but the Clymer manual wasn't too helpful.  Anyone have some better tips/pics on how to get to the fuse?  Thanks.

[Kerry]

I seem to recall that the fuse was in a different place on the '89.  Or was that the diode?

Anyway, here are pictures for my 99:



The ACTIVE fuse is under the red cover that says "FUSE 20A".  The yellow item on the opposite end of the starter motor relay is the spare fuse and is not hooked up to anything.  (Just ask pantablo.   )

Here is the ACTIVE fuse with the cover removed:



Here is more info from the Haynes manual:



PS - If ANY of your lights come on, the fuse is probably OK.  Just for kicks, have you tried the turn signals?  Brake light?

[The Buddha]

89 fuse and diode are right behind the battery ... Best spot for it ... under the side covers ... WTF .... in the dark on a rainy night you blow a fuse ... and guess what you're screwed ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[JetSwing]

sound like a weak battery. you can check the fuse but i don't think it's the fuse since you get the oil light. if you have no way to charge your battery, they bummp starting or jump start it off a non running car.

[ponchopirate]

Okay, so I need to add to my post, but first off let me say "thanks" for the info and all the pics.  I hooked my battery back up the bike and turned the ignition to "on," all of my lights ended up working but they were really dim.  I thumbed the starter but nothing happened.  Then I noticed a whole bunch of smoke coming from the front of the bike (maybe below the gas tank?), so I'm assuming two wires are touching that shouldn't be.  Any ideas on what this could be or do I need to follow the routing of my entire electrical system?  Thanks.

[Kerry]

Any ideas on what this could be or do I need to follow the routing of my entire electrical system?

John Bates just pointed out to me today that one of the pictures on my Plexistar II Windwhield page shows a potential hazard.  Perhaps you have a similar condition on your bike?  (Wires getting pinched by the steering stops when you turn the bars full left ... or full right)?

[ponchopirate]

Okay, so I turned the bike on again to find the source of the smoke.  I took some pics of the locations.  There was also a lot of mosture in the bundle of wires when I peeled off the electrical tape.  Looks like one of the black wires with a white stipe was burning.  Any thoughts on how big of a mess I'm in?  Should I just relent and take it to a mechanic?  Thanks.

[The Buddha]

Been there done that ... splice or replace that section of wire with another of the same color code if possible ... and pretty much replace the tape and zip tie is to the frame in such a way it wont get crushed by steering stops ... very common on the damn eliminator 1000 I have ... that whole section of wiring is a potential disaster ... 30 wires forced into a dime sized pigtail, trapped by electrical tape and stuffed between 2 large steel objects one of whihc moves a good 120 degrees ... = Big freaking design flaw IMHO. Mechanic ... yea good way to lose an arem and a leg ... you've come this far, that's 90% there ... splice it or solder it and tape it back and zip tie it. Easy ... messy but easy.
Cool.
Srinath.

[jacksplatSVS]

just wanted to say thanks. its a rainy night and my gs500 decided to blow a fuse (i hope). i'll sort it out in the morning now that i know where to look