bike won't start

[Troll]

don't worry about "missing" wires from the junction box. It made it all these years with out any problems. Start by disconnecting the plug for the rear fender harness. If the fuse doesn't blow, then the problem is in the harness to the rear fender or the tail lamp itself. If it still blows, pop out the headlight and disconnect the front running lights. As I remember, you said you were chasing some kind of issue with the turn signals when you had this all happen...

[CDNRatMan]

  I would need to go and look at mine now, but I was trying to show you the actual fuses and what they are for.

But if you are blowing the fuse for the taillight when you turn on the bike? Or when you use the brake? If it blows as soon as you start it I would say a break or short in the wiring, but Troll or someone with more electrical knowledge will be able to help you out.

[dundo1028]

Thank you ratman it seems as if my juction box is missing a wire according to the diagram. The diagram. Shows 8 lines and mine seem to have 7 lines.now I'm really confused

[CDNRatMan]

ok was looking for pictures and info was going to suggest to check all the fuses once more. If your fuse keeps blowing there is a short in the wiring someplace. Someplace the wire is touching metal, need to check along the lines to see if there is a break or something wrong.

[dundo1028]

I just noticed when I start the bike now the tail fuse keeps blowing out. What should I b looking for

[dundo1028]

Ok now the bike starts but no lights in rear and only head light turns on in the front. Very fustrating. What am I missing?

[John Hopkins]

So now you have a meter..here's how to use it.

Voltage..

Before using the meter on anything that has a battery set the meter to dc volts.. this is very important because it only takes a fraction of a second to blow up your meter..

With a digital meter it is not important which way the meter leads are connected when measuring voltage, if they are the wrong way round the meter will simply read - volts.

you can measure voltage to any point on the bike by connecting one of the leads (usually the black one to the metal of the frame or engine or negative pole of the battery.

Resistance or Ohms..

Do not use this setting on anything that is still connected to the bike until you fully understand what you are doing... this is the reason you only paid $10 for your meter..

Remove the fuse or item you are going to test..set the meter to Ohms or Resistance..if you have more than one range of Ohms set the meter to Ohms x1... lay the fuse on a piece of wood, plastic or other non conductive material and touch both leads together..note the reading.. now measure across the fuse..the reading should be almost the same..if it is replace the fuse and remove the next one to test.. do not remove more than one fuse at a time because they may be different ratings.

John.

[Troll]

Ok. now you can measure voltages and resistance, and check for continuity...CHECK ALL THE FUSES FIRST!!!

[CDNRatMan]

  ok I know I am getting old, this question is in 2 places, I know I posted the pictures in here once I came home....lol...

Troll your most welcome and now you can help more people, even us 800 riders....lol.....

[dundo1028]

I just got a multimeter from harbor freight. Hoping that this will help me locate the problem

[Troll]

I've been looking at the wiring diagram posted by Ratman, and all you are going to need, at this point, is a simple 12v test light to trouble shoot your problems. Pull the fuse box cover off and the main fuse cover (it's in the starter relay) and check BOTH sides of each fuse with the test light. These are simple ATC fuses like you find in most cars, so if there is power on both sides, they are good, if there is power on only one side, they are open. I'm pretty sure from your description, you have smoked the main fuse, or perhaps the 10A ign. fuse...Ratman was kind enough to email me a .pdf of his manual, so now I have one for an 800.

[CDNRatMan]

  ok here is the diagram

[CDNRatMan]

 The main fuse is under the seat next to the battery. I'll be posting the main wiring diagram in about 2 hours once I am home.

[John Hopkins]

First you really need a circuit diagram, second you need a $10 DIGITAL Multimeter from harbor freight..

If you were tracing the wires with the engine off you are probably very lucky in this case, the noise you heard was almost certainly a spark as the probe shorted 12v to the frame..

From your description of the fault, no lights and it won't start I am going to  guess that as far as electricity is concerned you have none at all..If this is the case there is only one place to look and that is the main fuse..

You have a VN800 and I don't have the circuit for that bike but on most bikes the main fuse is located near or attached to the starter solenoid..the solenoid is usually under the seat near to the battery and is found by tracing the thick lead from the battery which goes straight to it...The fuse is usually about 30 amp and is usually tucked down beside the battery or solenoid.

John.

[CDNRatMan]

Troll, once I am home after work I'll post the wiring diagram for you.

[Troll]

Let' start at the beginning. What ere you trying to find, and what wasn't working before you started? Did you check the battery voltage at the battery? This is a pretty simple electrical system, compared to a 1500, so there are only going to be a few places to worry about. The fuse box AND the main fuse are going to have to be examined not just visually, but with your meter to determine if anything that burned open. Ratman has a complete wiring diagram for an 800 if he could post that in large format, we can get started. I guess I'm really surprised that people who call themselves "mechanics" in New Jersey are afraid of electricity...

[dundo1028]

No I don't that's why I was tracing wirers with the meter

[CDNRatMan]

  At this point, I personally would be tempted to replace all the fuses, not that many of them and they are not that dear, just to be sure you have good ones.
I am talking about the ones in the fuse box, there is only eight of them in there and it would be a start point. Then I would check the bike for any inline fuses. You don't know when someone has added something.
Wish I knew more to help you.

[dundo1028]

I did check the main fuse it look intack but I also noticed that the headlight fuse was melted but not blown before this happened . Which was replaced

[CDNRatMan]

  Have you checked the main 30A fuse?

I cannot find anything in the manual about will not start due to electrical issues. So will keep looking.

[dundo1028]

My fuses aren't blown and the meter is the kind you would connect to the battery and beeps green for negative. Red for positive

[CDNRatMan]

Do you have the wiring diagram?

[pcarrell]

Have you checked the main fuse?

[dundo1028]

I was tracing blicker wires with a power probe voltage tester and heared a spark so now no lights nor will it start. No mechanic in my area is willing to repair electrical system

[aralph]

What did you have the meter set on? It should not have caused a spark or dead short.