My 2006 6th Gen suddenly started blowing the fuse every time I turn on the left hand turn signal. Here is what I know:
1.) I am told this model is not one that had a wiring harness recall.
2.) It only blows when the left hand turn signal is engaged
3.) It does not blow when I remove the rear left rear turn signal bulb
4.) I have replaced the bulbs.
5.) I have not added or modified anything since I bought it.
Does anyone have an idea on how to start isolating/troubleshooting this?
Should I remove every bit of turn signal wire shielding from the harness and look for pin holes?
Could it be a problem with the flasher relay itself?
I would put the right rear turn signal bulb in the left side and see if it blows. Maybe just a bad bulb.
I wouldn't suspect the relay because it only happens on the left. Shouldn't be the bulb since that has been replaced.
If it were me, I'd start with testing for continuity between signal wires and ground/eachother, and then the switch itself. These can both be done with out tearing into the harness itself, and should be pretty easy. If that doesn't help, then I'd start replacing sections of the harness with some test wires. When the situation changes, you found your problem and then you replace that section.
If that doesn't work, only turn right.
Both of my VFR's had part of the wire loom pulled too tightly around the front fairing stay on the left side near the blinker. One of them rubbed through and intermittently shorted. Be sure to check all of your connectors as the '06's aren't totally immune from wiring issues.
My wifes '06 was blowing turn signal fuses intermittenly. I never found the culprit, but the problem resolved after I removed the left fairing and inspected the wiring for knicks or cuts. I guess I moved the problem away from where it was shorting to ground.
Bulbs themselves can short circuit internally - I've seen it happen plenty on these low wattage globes.
Take the bulb out and then use the left indicator - does it still blow the fuse? If not, the problem is in the bulb and you just need to buy a new one.
Having gone through blown fuses, checking relays, bulbs, etc. I finally found a rubbed bare low beam wire that only hit during some turns.
So, it could check out fine on a meter at a stand still then hit bare wire to metal while riding.
I would advise tracing each wire from the left side back to their origins. You may even miss it a few times. Look for flattened or worn tape wrap. Mine was 1mm in size.
Could it be a problem with the flasher relay itself?
No, it cannot be the relay. If it was the relay you would be blowing fuses even when you indicated to the right. The flasher is not a relay as such, it's actually more a small integrated circuit with a high amperage digitally controlled switch inside it. If you stick your ear up against it, there is no ticking sound symbolic of a relay.
Anyway the "relay" only has an input wire and output wire. Which circuit the output wire goes to is controlled by your indicator switch, so the "relay" is shared by both circuits.
If your bike also has a hazard switch (for flashing all indicators at once), there will be a bunch of diodes and another "Turn Position Relay" as well which allow both indicator circuits to be activated. All of this stuff is mounted just behind the dashboard, so if you need to get to where the flasher is you'll need to remove the front fairing. The Turn Position Relay - not likely to be your problem - has 9 wires going to it. Yeah, it's a complicated wiring job JUST to make the hazard lights work!
I could never figure this out. My shop finally did.
Tucked inside of the harness, not even shown on the schematic, it's a diode supplying a low voltage signal to the rear turn signals to make them also running lights. The diode plug was badly corroded causing a short. See the pics.
They cleaned the plug and diode and applied dielectric grease and all is happy in the world.
Glad to be back on the VFR after two months on the DRZ. There is a tiny bit of performance difference. ;)
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[image: Brad VFR 003.jpg]
Good find. My 5th Gen is blowing the blinker, horn, stop lights fuse intermittently and some of the guesses to your problem about wiring in the front may help me track it down. We aren't allowed to use amber lights for running lights so no diodes buried in wiring harness - hopefully.
Good find. My 5th Gen is blowing the blinker, horn, stop lights fuse intermittently and some of the guesses to your problem about wiring in the front may help me track it down. We aren't allowed to use amber lights for running lights so no diodes buried in wiring harness - hopefully.
Thanks to our guy RADAR, who clued me into this problem some years ago, I can tell you the probable fix for this condition.
The wires that plug into the front brake lever housing have an insulated push on spade connectors on the switch that activates the brakes. The insulation over one of the two connectors has worn through and is intermittently touching the metal clip on. On mine, the hole was nearly impossible to see it was so small but it was there.
Take the spade connectors off and look carefully. You may find the worn insulator and even if you don't see a pin hole, give them a few turns of electrical tape just because and your problem may be solved.
[image: 5th gen brake switch connection.jpg]
Good find. My 5th Gen is blowing the blinker, horn, stop lights fuse intermittently and some of the guesses to your problem about wiring in the front may help me track it down. We aren't allowed to use amber lights for running lights so no diodes buried in wiring harness - hopefully.
Thanks to our guy RADAR, who clued me into this problem some years ago, I can tell you the probable fix for this condition.
The wires that plug into the front brake lever housing have an insulated push on spade connectors on the switch that activates the brakes. The insulation over one of the two connectors has worn through and is intermittently touching the metal clip on. On mine, the hole was nearly impossible to see it was so small but it was there.
Take the spade connectors off and look carefully. You may find the worn insulator and even if you don't see a pin hole, give them a few turns of electrical tape just because and your problem may be solved.
VFRD does it again.
Thanks a million IntAceptor and indirectly RADAR, today I was going to get the front fairings off, but have found a small hole in the 'switched' wire just where you described. Spade now has an extra coat of shrink tube and I have bent the pin so that the spade doesn't rub on the metal of the clip-on. I never imagined there would be enough differential vibration between those bits to wear through what is a tough piece of plastic.
Going for a ride to prove you have put me onto the problem. Like being naked on the road when the blinkers and brake lights aren't working. I have also discovered during this episode there are 3 different sizes of small plastic fuses, I'm getting too old and the world is passing me by!
Mike
EDIT: Pic is a bit blurred but gold flash indicates problem, no fuse blown on ride. Problem declared fixed, another one to the good guys.
VFRD does it again.
Thanks a million IntAceptor and indirectly RADAR, today I was going to get the front fairings off, but have found a small hole in the 'switched' wire just where you described (I have a pic and will attempt to add it later). Spade now has an extra coat of shrink tube and I have bent the pin so that the spade doesn't rub on the metal of the clip-on. I never imagined there would be enough differential vibration between those bits to wear through what is a tough piece of plastic.
Going for a ride to prove you have put me onto the problem. Like being naked on the road when the blinkers and brake lights aren't working. I have also discovered during this episode there are 3 different sizes of small plastic fuses, I'm getting too old and the world is passing me by!
Mike
Man I wish mine had been that easy! lol I am glad you found it!
I could never figure this out. My shop finally did.
Tucked inside of the harness, not even shown on the schematic, it's a diode supplying a low voltage signal to the rear turn signals to make them also running lights. The diode plug was badly corroded causing a short. See the pics.
They cleaned the plug and diode and applied dielectric grease and all is happy in the world.
Glad to be back on the VFR after two months on the DRZ. There is a tiny bit of performance difference. ;)
can you please give me a description on where exactly that diode is? i would like to double check mine.