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Major electrical short

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396Glenn

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello Fellow PanAm Riders. I recently disconnected the battery, removed the front shrouds around the radiator to install some accessory lighting, but, when I tried to reconnect the battery(even before installing the new lights or their wiring), I have a major short now. The horn runs constantly when I reconnect the battery, as does the radiator fan. I've checked the main fuse and the fuses under the seat, and they are also all grounded now. I've checked all the wiring up front and around the stock front lights, and there are no wires touching any ground. Any suggestions?
Thank you!
 
#2 ·
396Glenn said:
Hello Fellow PanAm Riders. I recently disconnected the battery, removed the front shrouds around the radiator to install some accessory lighting, but, when I tried to reconnect the battery(even before installing the new lights or their wiring), I have a major short now. The horn runs constantly when I reconnect the battery, as does the radiator fan. I've checked the main fuse and the fuses under the seat, and they are also all grounded now. I've checked all the wiring up front and around the stock front lights, and there are no wires touching any ground. Any suggestions?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
I would put it back like it was and go from there.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Thank you. I did exactly that after thoroughly inspecting all wires to see if any of the insulation was broken or touching metal. I didn't find anything. But the second I touched the battery negative(black) wire to the battery, the horn and the radiator fan went on.
 
#4 ·
Check the plugs on your lighting that you installed some times the pins can be reversed in the plug itself, also when you had your battery out and the louvers off could have pinched the turn signal wire when putting them back on , I done that myself, also at the voltage regulator and starter silanoid there that holds the battery in place check the wiring to see if by chance it is touching anything...
 
#5 ·
If you are using a battery with 4 post on top like some lithium batteries have make sure positive side is by the shift lever side of the bike and nothing is touching on the rear side of the battery also , if you take everything back off and just hook up the battery with your new lights unplugged and don't find anything obvious then a trip to the dealership may be needed to check and see if any modules were damaged somehow.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
DOCIHMC said:
Check the plugs on your lighting that you installed some times the pins can be reversed in the plug itself, also when you had your battery out and the louvers off could have pinched the turn signal wire when putting them back on , I done that myself, also at the voltage regulator and starter silanoid there that holds the battery in place check the wiring to see if by chance it is touching anything...
Click to expand...
Thank you. I haven't installed the new lights yet, just the brackets. No new wiring whatsoever. But I will try your other suggestions.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
DOCIHMC said:
If you are using a battery with 4 post on top like some lithium batteries have make sure positive side is by the shift lever side of the bike and nothing is touching on the rear side of the battery also , if you take everything back off and just hook up the battery with your new lights unplugged and don't find anything obvious then a trip to the dealership may be needed to check and see if any modules were damaged somehow.
Click to expand...
Thank you again. Just using the factory battery still. I (and most locals) really don't like our local HD dealership. They treat everyone like it's a privilege to be in their midst. Been there a few times with my other bikes and they didn't treat my bikes well either. Plus, I can't start it with the short anyway.
 
#8 ·
396Glenn said:
Thank you again. Just using the factory battery still. I (and most locals) really don't like our local HD dealership. They treat everyone like it's a privilege to be in their midst. Been there a few times with my other bikes and they didn't treat my bikes well either. Plus, I can't start it with the short anyway.
Click to expand...
Hopefully you get it figured out soon.
 
#9 ·
The horn thing sounded familiar. Searched "horn going off" and found this:



Maybe trace that ground wire back to the block or frame or wherever it goes.

Also, you should always pull the main fuse before working on the battery..
 
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Tobba611
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