Electrical problem: back half dead, blinkers really fast

Went out to check something routine on my SWing and discovered it had developed some kind of electical problem overnight. Was working just fine when I parked it. Now all of the rear lighting is dead and my blinkers go really fast. I think the fast blinkers are probably due to the increased power going to the blinker relay because the rear signals are offline. More importantly, I haven't a clue what's going on with the back lighting. I checked all of the fuses and everything's good there. I'm hoping you guys have some ideas because I'm stranded until I fix it.

Could be one of the turn signal bulbs blown - that may cause the turn signals to flash quicker. Rear light bulbs could also have blown.

All bulbs are blown on the same time? Not impossible but i dont think so...

How much ground wires are in that area for the rear lightning? I think it could be that the complete back don't have a correct ground connection. The first think i would measure is the continuity from the ground pole on the bulb to the frame...
Other possibility: Are all the wires somewhere on the same connector? Possibly this connector is opened, therefore the second thing i would check: Is there 12V on the Bulbs (but measure directly against the frame, not again the other pole )?
Both measurement are possibly without removal of any tupperware and should give you a startpoint for further troubleshooting

The multi pin plug behind the little door on the left side of the storage box probably managed to un-plug itself. :flower:

Craig,

At the risk of stating the obvious - I'd start by checking some of your electrical modifications as noted in your signature.

Craig in California
2002 Dark Candy Red SilverWing
Clearview windshield, Utopia backrest, Givi topcase, handlebar lifters, Kisan LED turn signals under the side mirrors, driving lights, leg wind deflectors, battery charging indicator, fuse block under seat to drive all electrical accessories, BackOff brake light modulator, additional lighting.

jdeereanton wrote:

Craig,

At the risk of stating the obvious - I'd start by checking some of your electrical modifications as noted in your signature.

Craig in California
2002 Dark Candy Red SilverWing
Clearview windshield, Utopia backrest, Givi topcase, handlebar lifters, Kisan LED turn signals under the side mirrors, driving lights, leg wind deflectors, battery charging indicator, fuse block under seat to drive all electrical accessories, BackOff brake light modulator, additional lighting.

Well spotted Dale - good call.

I haven't had a moment to get behind that left-rear cover yet, but I think you guys probably have this nailed. Blackfly touched on it, joncallihan reinforced it, and jdeereanton nailed it to the wall. All of the rear lighting is connected through a single connector behind the left-rear cover. The BackOff brake light modulator is inline for the inbound and outbound connectors. I'm guessing that either one of the connectors worked loose, or the BackOff simply backed off and will now need to be replaced. As joncallihan pointed out, that connector is normally accessible throught the hatch in the storage box, but with the BackOff unit there it is pretty much impossible to get to anything through there. I'll have to take off the left-rear cover to get to it, but that's pretty easy. I plan to get to it tomorrow and I'll let everyone know how it works out.

Yep. You guys had it. The honda connector from the front slipped out of the BackOff connector. Pushed them back together and now everybody's happy. Thanks all who replied to my post!

Glad you had a result and it wasn't that traumatic.