I am taking my Monster in for valve adjustment, etc next week so I cleaned off the engine using degreaser and water--using my thumb to create a bit of pressure but not too heavy as I did not want to force water into anyplace. Just the engine areas. Bike started fine after but turn signal/rear running light fuse blew when I turned on turn signals--or it could have been blown when I turned the bike on and the rear running light activated.
Gave the bike a few days to dry out and then used a blow dryer this evening on all electrical connections to make sure they were dry. The headlight was unbolted to gain access to connections behind it. Put in a new fuse and the turn signals and rear running light worked just fine. Aha! I thought, just a little water somewhere. Bolted up the headlight and tried everything and as soon as I activated the turn signal, blew the same 7.5A fuse.
I have aftermarket turn signals on the bike that have never been a problem.
So, I removed the headlight and checked the turn signal wire connectors and made sure they were snug. Put in a new fuse, turned the key and signals and rear running light were fine. Put the headlight back in place and then turned the bike on and as soon as I activated a signal the same fuse again blew!
I have thoroughly checked all wires for a short. I am moving the turn signal wires out of the way to see if the headlight shell is pushing on them and somehow causing a short--didn't see any bare connections or wires.
I am out of fuses for now.
Any thoughts???
There have been cases of wires near the steering head causing issues. Others have seen it and reported on it. They can run a bit tight there. Check the wires in that area.
Also check the actual turn signal switch too. Get some WD40 in there.
Then theres the dash. You dont want water in there either.
There must be quite a few threads on this worth searching.
Others more electrical than myself will chime in.
Go to an auto parts store and buy a circuit breaker with a rating the same as the fuse. Adapt it so you can substitute it for the fuse that keeps blowing. From each unit in a logical order disconnect each connector one at a time until the circuit breaker stops popping. Or not. Koko may be onto something. The connector from the light switch to the main harness is at the steering head. This will get you to the area where the problem is. Strange part is the head light and directionals run off different fuses. If you don't have a wiring diagram you can download an owner's manual here http://www.ducati.com/services/maintenance/index.do (http://www.ducati.com/services/maintenance/index.do) They only go back to 2001, but the '01 is close enough
Had very similar issues with mine, same year/model.
Had to do a bit of work to the stupid wiring arrangement for the tail light/rear indicator rat's nest located near the rear end of the seat, it's a total POS around that region, but yes, also check things near the steering stem too. A Multimeter will be verrrry helpful.
Thanks for the tips. I realized that the problem started immediately after I replaced the right front turn signal, which had been damaged in a crash in July. It was an aftermarket signal that worked but blinked really fast. I bought the same type of signal at Cycle Gear a couple of weeks ago and installed it and it seemed fine.
I did a little fooling with things this evening and convinced myself it had to be the signal itself. I had an extra of the pair of signals and installed the spare one tonight and that seems to have taken care of the issue as everything worked and I tried it several times.
Fingers crossed as I am supposed to ride to GP Cycles in San Diego Tuesday to drop the bike off for valve adjust and cam belts (I will be in SD anyway for a few days). It could be raining though, so we'll see.
How'd it all pan out?