Electrical problems (lights, starter, neutral indicator)

**kwaltz6** · 06-24-2010, 11:26 AM

Hello, first time poster. I was riding home from work this past weekend and noticed when I flipped my turnsignal on, not only did it not blink, I didn't even light up to indicat that a bulb was out, wire was not connected, etc. I also noticed my brake lights were not working. I obviousley was nervous riding home and had to use hand signals for to rest of the trip. I tore off the rear fender last night and noticed that the wiring harness had been sagging and was rubbing on the rear tire. So last night I was just messing around trying to find the problem (other than the wirings being frayed) and now neither of the front blinkers work and the bike wont' start with the lectric starter, I had to push it to get it going, and also the green light to indicat it is in neutral does not turn on when the bike is in neutral. I am wondering if there is some type of fuse that could possible have all of these compnents connected, or if I will have to replace the blinker relay and assess the other problems on their own. I think I may have also left the switch on "run" instead of off, and may have drained the battery, It's at home charging as we speak and hopefully it will fire up once I reconnect it, My biggest issue at this point is the blinkers. Any help is greatly appreciated. Also I am, within the next month, replacing the rear turn signals and taillight (going to turn it into a bobber) any problems I'm going to certainly run into?

JunkyardDog · 06-24-2010, 01:30 PM

First off, before getting into anything more complicated, check the fuses. They are on the right side, in a box, directly behind the battery. The wires that were rubbing on the tire may have shorted out and blown a fuse. If that isn't it, things get a little more complicated, but still easy. The Rebel has a very simple electrical system. You will need a multimeter to troubleshoot it though. Trying to do so without one is an exercise in frustration. Jerry.

**Guba** · 06-26-2010, 12:31 AM

If the insulation rubbed off in spots where it rubbed the tire, there's your problem! It's staring you right in the face. The tail light is on all the time the bike is on, and the same with the license plate light. It sounds like they frayed enough to take out the main fuse. Or at least enough to drain the battery, which by the way won't last very long as it's not made to deep cycle.

You need to fix the wires before you do anything else and take it from there.

**kwaltz6** · 06-27-2010, 11:19 AM

Yup, so the night after I posed this I came home, checked all the wires, made sure nothing was disconnected, had the gas tank pulled off to check all the wiring underneath, and low and behold, found out the 10amp glass fuse was blown. Replaced it and she fired right up. Funny how something so small can have such a major impact. Anyways, I since re-soldered the wires and connectors, re-wrapped with electrical wire and replaced the rubber wire housing and secured it all up underneath with zip ties. Shouldn't have any more problems, that is until I try to replace the blinkers and taillights soon. Thanks for the replies.

**Guba** · 06-27-2010, 11:08 PM

Glad you found the problem. Don't be so pessimistic about putting new blinkers on, it's not hard to wire in. If need help though please state what year Reb you have as the wire colors changed a bit over the years.

**SmallblockAndy** · 07-01-2010, 01:04 AM

Hello, another 1st. on the Threads, All good answers, I would ad one thing because wires are under fender, use Shrink Tube on your repairs, so water will not get at repairs, or whatever you may run into, It will work a long time without it, but if you plan on keeping your Rebel a long time it is worth it to use it, and real cheap, SmallblockAndy

**Guba** · 07-01-2010, 01:10 AM

Hey Smallblockandy welcome to the forum. That's good advice!

**SmallblockAndy** · 07-01-2010, 01:17 AM

As long as we are talking about Electrical problems, I happen to have one, I have a 2003 250 Reb. only 2,750 miles, when the battery is low and I drive it to charge up the battery, I get a Flickering of all the lights, the only way to stop it is to charge battery with a charger first, then it works fine, any ideas as to why it flickers??? also I put a good battery in it one of the gel type, spendy little thing also, any help out there? Thanks much SmallblockAndy

**flitecontrol** · 07-01-2010, 08:07 AM

Andy, sounds like your old battery is on the way out or possibly there is a charging issue.

**Guba** · 07-02-2010, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmallblockAndy

As long as we are talking about Electrical problems, I happen to have one, I have a 2003 250 Reb. only 2,750 miles, when the battery is low and I drive it to charge up the battery, I get a Flickering of all the lights, the only way to stop it is to charge battery with a charger first, then it works fine, any ideas as to why it flickers??? also I put a good battery in it one of the gel type, spendy little thing also, any help out there? Thanks much SmallblockAndy

Sounds like you lost a diode (the prints show two types) or the voltage regulator/rectifier. If you know how to check diodes with an ohm meter and they check good, that only leaves the regulator/rectifier.