Fuse question

Hello...I own a 1980 xj650 maxim. Original fuse box.
I just bought a new battery, charged it up and then installed it.

I then went to go start it and nothing.

I checked the charge and it was good. I then checked the fuse box and the main fuse was blown. So I went to go replace it, with the ignation off and the key out, and as soon as it touched the posts of the main fuse that fuse went, being silly I tried again thinking that I touch something else. Nope

Any ideas at all? I hate electrical problems and no idea where to start.
Thanks

 

you got the correct battery for the bike, with the terminals the right way round?

 

haha...good question. Yep I got a 12v sport battery for motorcycles. And yep, I did hook it up right.

 

well that's the easy bit out the way, now you have to pull all the connectors & plug them back in one at a time until the fuse blows, then trace that curcuit for the short, happy hunting.

 

*groan* haha thanks for the info. I will do that. Hopefully I find it soon. I have never palyed with the electrical system on my bike. Is there any tricks/no-no's that I should follow before I start? I just don't want to make it worse then what it is.

 

You can't do any harm pulling connector plugs & they are all colour coded or size / shape matched, never know you might grt lucky & get it first time, check you didn't trap any wires fitting the battery.
I had a great night drinking with a bunch of red neck farmer boys in Saskatoon, about 30 years ago, o, happy days.

 

Look at the Wires that get hookes-up to the Battery and check to see if there is anything OTHER than the Red MAIN Power Lead and the Black Ground Strap.

Look on the Battery and Double Check you're +:+ & -:-

If there are any extra wires that might have been accessories or alarms ... what-ever ... see where they go and what they are connected too.

 

you should also consider trading that fusebox for a blade one from chacal. Mines on the way now.

 

Stryker...haha great minds think alike. I already have the parts list ready to go. Throw me a note when you have it and give me the low down on how it was to install. thanks

 

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=6350.html is the write up for the fuse box replacement. Super easy.

 

Man I love this site! You guys are just full of useful information. Hopefully I will learn just as much messing around with my bike and be able to help out others. Thanks Game Over

 

You're welcome. But I didn't write it up. I did use it though.

 

One trick is to wire a 12v bulb across the blown fuse. It'll light up nice and bright as long as the short is there. When you pull the plug that removes the short it should get noticeably dimmer.

 

I like that, gitbox.

 

When you need to do Electrical Troubleshooting, ... it's nice to have a Tool that will save you a lot of time.

This one's worth its weight in Gold!

http://www.rjtool.com/p-1354-circuit-so ... an-72.aspx

When you face a situation like you have, ... with the Main Fuse blowing ... you should remove the tank and covers and look for any place that looks like it has been altered.

Look in the Headlight Bucket, too.
Sometimes the problem sticks-out like a sore thumb.
You find something that got hacked and taped.

That test light will help you find a short, ... fast.
Cut a piece of Leather you can tape to your Finger Tip.

Then, you can sharpen the Point on the Test Light to penetrate the Insulation on a wire real easy, ... and do your Troubleshooting without sticking yourself in the finger with the Probe.