Fuse problem

My headlight stopped working all of a sudden. The late owner of the bike (XJ750 Maxim 1983) had redone that single fuse because the thing that held it in place broke.
Now, upon his counsel I tried putting a small piece of aluminum foil by the fuse and it did work. He told me that it meant that my fuse was done with. I bought a new one. It does not work either.

I know nothing (yet) about fuses. Could someone tell me where to look into to know what the problem is?

I saw the thread as to how to change my fuse box, and I want to do it. I've ordered the parts. Until then though, I need my light!

 

Where did you put the aluminum foil?

Gary

 

I pressed it into a ball about 3mm thick. I pushed it into the hole where I put one side of the fuse (it is a plastic fuse holder like this one http://www.aliexpress.com/item/5x20-wit ... 60564.html ).

I then closed up the plastic fuse holder and my headlight worked fine. The previous owner told me that I should not consider it a repair, but a way to know that my fuse was done with. However, the new fuse does not work either... I must say that I do not have a clue what isn't working here.

 

Sounds like the wiring is not getting power through the holder. Idk where you ordered parts from or how long it might take to get them to you. Len is a excellent source. A multimeter is a must for our bikes. It would make it easier to say for sure this holder is the problem. If you are confident this is the problem and you need a quick but reliable "rig" go to a auto parts store and purchase another same amp fuse holder. Disconnect the battery before installation.

Gary

P.S. - Imo you should install a "fuse box" asap.

 

Quick update: I took out my multimeter and tested from the inside of the fuse holder and the current did pass through. This means that the wires are not faulty. Maybe the aluminum foil bridges the connection from the fuse to the holder. I will try to buy a new holder tomorrow and I'll give you another update.

What is Len?

Thanks

 

I had the same issue...replacing the fuse box is a piece of cake. You could go to your local hardware/auto parts store and pick up a part (or in my case, get one from work), or you could do what I should have done...contact Len...aka Chacal!

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=1 ... e+box.html

 

Len aka Chacal is the parts guru. Click the icon in upper right corner. Ta-dah! Who says majic isn't real.

Gary

 

Thanks for the tip! I sent him a pm.

 

The holder may not have been rated for the amperage run through it, or it might be a cheap holder. The wires get warm and soften the plastic. Then the contact works its way into the plastic until the connection breaks.

The little ball of foil closes the gap and makes it work again (for awhile).

 

That is exactly what the issue was. I bought another holder and replaced it. The contact being fine now, everything works good. I can now wait for my new fuse block and still ride in the meanwhile.

Thanks!