1983 XV500 Blinker issues and Fuse? (Ottawa Ontario)

[GDad]

Morning all

I was poking away at the 500 last night and got the turn signals kind of working. The left side is very slow blinks and then sometimes stops totally. The right side works fine. I want to put this down to a wiring issue or loose connection somewhere? I have two flasher units and both do the same thing. Also the headlight dims and or flashed at the same time as the blinker lol. Just looking for peoples thoughts and ideas before I start soldering and running new wires. Maybe I am missing something. Note the bike isn't running yet. I am reassembling after a full rebuild. I took a video if I am unclear I can share it.

Also - unrelated is the red piece in the picture a fuse? I am assuming it is? wiring diagram says it should be a 20amp but no markings.

G

[jsyzdek]

speaking out of my @$$, based purely on a hunch: could be a loose connection, could be a grounding issue. Or both.

Idea: get a voltmeter and connect it "permanently" to the battery (so that you don't have to hold the probes as you work). Start the right blinker, see what the voltage does. Start the left blinker and see what it does, and see what happens to the voltage when it stops.

[ViragoJoe]

Also - unrelated is the red piece in the picture a fuse? I am assuming it is? wiring diagram says it should be a 20amp but no markings.

G,
That looks more like a circuit breaker to me that was added on by the previous owner, if you didn't add it.

So, my guess would be that it is not a fuse, but something else and was an added on item.

If you figure out what it is, let us know, I'm curious.

[GDad]

Thank to both of you. I will hook up the tester tonight and see what draws I have and if I can trace them. I defiantly didn't add the "red" part but and I have a second wiring harness for a 500 XV K and it has a 20amp fuse and not this thing. I will ripper open and see what it is lol. stay tuned.

[GDad]

Evening all

Haven't got to put the tester on it I got called away for a week of work. However it turns out that the red block is a fuse. Personally never seen one like that before. But here it is for curious minds.

[ViragoJoe]

Evening all

Haven't got to put the tester on it I got called away for a week of work. However it turns out that the red block is a fuse. Personally never seen one like that before. But here it is for curious minds.

============

G,
I'm still going with my assumption above, that it is a circuit breaker and not a fuse. From what I have read. Back in the day these little jewels were used in cars attached to the headlights circuitry. It is an auto reset circuit breaker. If the headlight circuit were to get overloaded or shorted the Circuit Breaker gets Hot and opens killing the power in the circuit. When it cools it closes again to give power back to the headlights. I believe it was a safety feature, so if there was an overload or short your headlights would blink on and off. Similar to the turn signal canister that controls your turn signals. So, you could come to a safe stop with some lighting. Can you see yourself flying down an unlit highway at 70-MPH on a super dark night and you headlights go completely dark. That breaker was there to save the wiring from melting and provide you with some lighting to bring the car to a safe stop. However, your Auto Reset Breaker may have a completely different function.

I've read that the application and construction of the Auto Reset Circuit Breakers on/off timing function can be varied for the application needed.

Found this posted on line:
Quote:
11-20-2018, 12:26 PM
Having experienced the loss of headlights on a lonely road at night, I can assure you the resetting breaker is a godsend! Having the lights go out in pitch black is scary while you attempt to stop without running off the road.
The resetting breaker will repeatedly try the circuit, giving brief headlights. My 1961 Ford had one, and I have never understood why the Triumph did not.
Dennis
unquote

Place all the information you see on the housing in your computer search engine and see what it provides you:
"Short Stop 12 volt 15 Amps"

You should come across something that says this: SHORT STOP 12 VOLT, 15 AMP AUTO RESET CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH MOUNTING

Edited 11/03/2022 3:35PM:
How auto resetting circuit breakers works LIVE cutaway showing inside breaking and resetting!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt4R-G46quc

[GDad]

Hey,

Sorry for late reply. I travel for work and sometimes gone a bit. That is pretty cool. I may just update it to a new one and leave it be then. They are only about 20 CAD on amazon.

Thanks for all the info. I love reading about that stuff. Still haven't had time to test the lights and voltage drop but maybe soon. getting cold up here and garage is only partly heated lol.

G

[ViragoJoe]

Hey,

Sorry for late reply. I travel for work and sometimes gone a bit. That is pretty cool. I may just update it to a new one and leave it be then. They are only about 20 CAD on amazon.

Thanks for all the info. I love reading about that stuff. Still haven't had time to test the lights and voltage drop but maybe soon. getting cold up here and garage is only partly heated lol.

G

============

G,
Next time we won't answer so quickly. Disconnect it from the wiring and see if the headlight is affected and (goes out). I understand that it is getting colder and garage is only partly heated. Your body heat and whatever the bike radiates.

Get one of the bullet shaped propane heaters they work wonders. Just keep it away from gasoline or it could get much hotter.