Triumphrat

sangsters

I have an '03 Speed Four with just a bit under 10,000 miles on the clock.

About two weeks ago I started blowing the 15amp headlight fuse on a regular basis... like three fuses in an eight mile ride home.

I have checked all the bulbs and the connections that I can access without cutting into the harness. The fuse blowing does not appear to be tied to any one action or event (eg, fan switching on, hitting a bump, rear brake, etc).

I am grudgingly prepared to get the service manual and start tracing individual circuits but I thought I'd ask if anyone else has encountered this... just to give me a head start on tracking it down.

Thanks.

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Sometimes being an adult means recognizing what it is you want... and running like hell in the opposite direction.

Ozz

Hi. Did you ride in heavy rain or wash the bike with a pressure hose before this started happening? I washed my old bike with a pressure hose and water must have got into the electrics because the main fuse blew as soon as the ignition was switched on.

Dont worry tho, if this is the problem it wont have caused any damage as the fuse prevents this.
Best thing to do is spray lots of WD40 over all the electrics and connectors and leave it for an hour or 2.

If it is still blowing the fuse you will need to pull apart all the connectors (make sure you know which ones plug in to each other!) and just spray some more wd40 into the connectors. This will displace all the water and should hopefully solve the problem.

Ps if you dont get wd40 in america, it is a very thin spray oil which displaces water.

Will

Yep, we get WD40 here. It is one of the indespensible tools, right there with duct tape and bailing wire. :razz:

If you take the wiring apart to trace circuits, make sure to use some dielectric grease in each connector when you put it back together. That keeps the connection working properly and seals out moisture far longer than WD40 can.

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Will
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BoFax

WD40 was invented in america

check the visible wires to the headlights before cutting into the harness because it sounds like a wire grounding on the chassis. maybe under the seat or tank.
I discovered the fuel hoses are long enough that you can turn the fuel tank around and set it on the subframe. spread a newspaper or rags first to protect everything.

sangsters

Thanks for the input.

I went through the visible wires under the seat last night and checked the connectors (that I could access). Each remains good and greasy.

Removing the tank fills me with dread, but I guess that is the next step.

__________________
Sometimes being an adult means recognizing what it is you want... and running like hell in the opposite direction.

Tri2Fly

Wasn't there a service bulletin about the orientation of the top bolt on the Speed Four shock absorber? In its original position it could rub wiring and would eventually cause shorts. Solution is to reverse the bolt.

Good luck with the hunt.

Sangsters
That recall was because the top mounting bolt for the rear shock was too long so it stuck out beyond the nut by 10mm to the right. At the same time the loom was too tight so they ended up very close on the right side.

It is all guarantee/warantee work. If you have not been contacted & that was the problem they are liable for all costs I believe??