GN250 repeated blowing of the fuse

[stifmyster1]

Had a GN250 for about a week. IN that week we had blown 2 back lights. the first we figured was old light. second time one of the filaments(the brake one) burned out. Have since had that replaced. Also got the guy at Holeshot to adjust the brake sensor because the foot break would not turn the brake light on unless you applied so much force you were trying to drive the thing through the centre of the earth and out the other side. Unfortunately now once you use that brake the light stays on.

Also. Have blown 4 fuses today. First was just after greenhithe bridge. Replaced it. Managed to get to the off ramp at Albany and the just after that one blew as well. Replaced it again as i was just trying to get home. this one blew within a kilometre. Tried to put another in and it blew instantly. Have since got it home and taken the bike apart. Checked all the obvious places ie earths and stuff. No worn wires. However we have learned that the fuse was blowing even with ignition set to off.

At one point a new fuse got extremely hot and there was a burning smell coming from the cylinder thing under the fuel tank. However for some reason all that has gone away. I suspect the back brakes as the light was on for about 30minutes straight and have heard of the brakes causing fuses to blow but cant be sure. Any ideas?

[TOTO]

not sure about your fuse problem, but the GN is knows for the rear light blowing. I got a LED bulb that fits in the standard fitting from Jaycar. Does not blow. Have had it for 3 months and very happy. cosst me about 30 bux and I dont have to carry tail bulbs no more.

[stifmyster1]

ah ok thanks. I will look into that for the light. At $4 a peice you normally dont worry but if your replacing that twice a week then the cost adds up.

[stifmyster1]

ok. Have taken to Holeshot and there preliminary diagnoses based on a recall of events is that the power regulator has had it. But they are going to do a full ckeck of the bike to make sure it is that and is only that. But so far looks like about $300. Which i will get the previous owner to pay some of cause its broken within a week of me purchasing it. it several moths had passed i wouldnt bother but considering how quickly at went she should at least pay for some of it.

[notme]

Bugger, I didn't check the forums quick enough - but these are all the classic symptoms of overcharging. If you still wanted to rescue it from the shop DIY and save a bit of cash, all you need is a $10 multimeter and a troubleshooting chart plus the cost of a new rectifier/regulator.....you could save the labour charges from the shop.
The brake light switch is an extremely simple adjustment too.

[stifmyster1]

Already did all the tests with a multimeter. The battery voltage while off and while running is fine. I dont think it is the battery. I dont mind paying the labour charges to be sure that the person who checks it out properly actually knows what there doing. My father did a basic check for worn wires and such but couldnt find any obvious problems. when it didnt appear basic we decided to send it in.'

Also. overcharging can be caused by power regulator right. if so then thats what is being looked at. regarldess i would still need a new regulator.

[Gremlin]

Is one particular fuse constantly blowing? It would point to a short somewhere in that circuit.

[notme]

Already did all the tests with a multimeter. The battery voltage while off and while running is fine. I dont think it is the battery. I dont mind paying the labour charges to be sure that the person who checks it out properly actually knows what there doing. My father did a basic check for worn wires and such but couldnt find any obvious problems. when it didnt appear basic we decided to send it in.'

Also. overcharging can be caused by power regulator right. if so then thats what is being looked at. regarldess i would still need a new regulator.

Yes, overcharging is caused by a faulty regulator. And yes, you would still need one, I'm just thinking you can buy the part yourself and the shop won't add a margin, and you can fit it yourself (it's a simple plug in job) and not pay the labour. More than that though, you get to fix it yourself and learn a bit about your bike along the way.

Of course, you might not be interested and just want your bike running again ASAP, which is fine - it's just that sometimes people don;t realize there is an alternative. Often times the bike shop guy is just following the same testing chart that you could follow.

Now on to the technical bits - if you tested with a multimeter and you think the charging system is OK, then either you tested it incorrectly, or the charging system is working fine. This is important to know, because if the bike shop sells you new parts and charges you for fitting them, you might be getting ripped, and you might still have the same problem! The alternative is that you didn't test it properly, in which case you can easily learn when you get the bike back - again, only if you are interested of course :-)

[notme]

Is one particular fuse constantly blowing? It would point to a short somewhere in that circuit.

and that's a good point - you say that you blew 4 fuses - I initially thought from your description you meant the same fuse 4 times, is that right?

oh and your battery might be poked as a result of the overcharging, depending on how far you rode to get home so be prepared for the wallet hit :-(

[stifmyster1]

yea same fuse 4 times. Was planning to change the battery anyway as the previous owner didnt use it that much the past year. but i need the bike back on the road asap cause its costing me $10 a day with out the bike. with the bike its $20 a week. plus. my dad will pay for repairs and i pay him back so im not majorly struggling for cash.

Oh also. the fuse that kept blowing is the main fuse. Which leads to every single circuit on the bike. Im actually pretty sure it only has 1 fuse by the looks of it. so any part of the bike could be doing it except the ignition.

[notme]

yea same fuse 4 times. Was planning to change the battery anyway as the previous owner didnt use it that much the past year. but i need the bike back on the road asap cause its costing me $10 a day with out the bike. with the bike its $20 a week. plus. my dad will pay for repairs and i pay him back so im not majorly struggling for cash.

Replacing the batt won't hurt, but be aware you can test the charging system yourself, easily and cheaply, and you may not need a new batt just yet if it checks out.

Oh also. the fuse that kept blowing is the main fuse. Which leads to every single circuit on the bike. Im actually pretty sure it only has 1 fuse by the looks of it. so any part of the bike could be doing it except the ignition.

That all points to the regulator still.

Anyway let us know how it goes!

[stifmyster1]

Its all fixed now. Was the power regulator. Everything else is working fine