[tree1979]

My first thought is loose connection. The tach connects to the wiring harness inside the head light bucket. Take the lid off and check the connection. You could have knocked something loose when you were changing the turn signals.

 

[tree1979]

Fuse?

That was another thought, but was thinking loose connection since he changed the turn signals. Good place to start looking.

 

[tree1979]

I agree with mrmegadeth. Did you disconnect the battery when you changed the turn signals (negative first)? You probably shorted the circuit and didn't even know it.

 

[tree1979]

Not sure I follow. If you're referring to the connectors that plug to the turn signals, I've each individual connector unplugged and apart just hanging there since day 1 and now it just blew.

How are your turn signals connected then? Do you have connectors exposed? If so, that's probably what went wrong. In your first post you say that the ground was wet. Wet and electric don't mix.My guess is you shorted across an open connector. If its been like that from day one I'm surprised it didn't short sooner. I may be misunderstanding the situation though.

 

[tree1979]

First things first...I get to claim winner, winner, chicken dinner for being the first to suggest a fuse problem.

Cover them with a piece of electrical tape until you're going to use them again. That should protect them from getting wet and giving you more problems.

I would also put some heat shrink tube over the electrical tape to make it more water tight

 

[tree1979]

navycraig is right, he takes first place prize!
congratulations, you win . . . . . nothing. Lol.

That's actually what I was thinking, though, taping them up. However the odd thing is the two connectors can actually plug into each other. Rather than leave them both apart and hanging somewhat, the left plugs into the right just like each of their turn signals would. It actually is a little more effective this way because it covers both ends and at thesame time help keep them up out of the way. I don't forsee any electrical issues resulting from this, but then again, I am an amateur.

Are you still using the rear signals? Either way, DO NOT plug them in to each other. You will short two circuits and damage the wiring and more than likely kill the auto cancel module

 

[tree1979]

Yep I reinstalled all stock turn signals and did not plug them in together except front ones when I was curious ton see if they fit (bike was off key out). Everything's good to go, bought a few extra 15a fuses, swapped out bad with new. Everything working like it should.
Never noticed auto cancel signals, though. Is that a balance sensor or a timer auto cancel?

Time out when bike is traveling over a certain speed. I think 12 mph.

 

[tree1979]

It never ceases to amaze me how many times the troubleshooting of electrical problems consists of guessing and eenie meenie minee moe. A $15 meter would have shown your problem before you took anything apart for your photo on post #12. You don't even have to pull the fuse.

Do yourself a huge favour and get Santa to put a decent meter under the tree. Then spend an hour or two with some basic electricity videos on YouTube. You'll use it on electrical things indoors, outdoors and on vehicles for the rest of your life and wonder how you'd ever get by without it. I promise.

As for the loose connector stay away from electrical tape, condoms and bubblegum that will dry out in the heat, leak, unwind and possibly cause you more troubleshooting delays next time. Also stay away from the heat shrink tubing meant for general indoor connections. Go the auto store and get dual wall heat shrink tubing. Cut it long enough to go past the ends of the connector about 1/2 an inch. When you heat it up squeeze the ends together. Dual wall polyolefin heat shrink has an adhesive on the inside that when hot, will seal to itself making the wrap structurally stronger and the connector sealed from the environment. You should be using that stuff on anything exposed to dirty or wet conditions that electricity, and other things, don't like.

In this case i'm pretty sure the meter wouldn't have been much use. The blown fuse told him the same thing. It won't tell him what caused it if its caused by an open connection that shorted in wet conditions. Agree that making sure you use proper materials is good. I don't think the dual wall is the way to go here. It is a great product. But I have had issues with the adhesive making it harder to make changes later. I have done the same thing as mentioned (not on a turn signal connector though), and removing the dual wall broke the connector. I personally thing the best thing to do is put on the turn signals, but I'm crazy I know as I want bigger and brighter turn signals so people can see me better.