I have a 2001 XL. The accessory fuse keeps blowing. It does so at various intervals. Sometimes right after I replace it, sometimes I can ride for a few minutes. I went through everything i can think of (playing with harnesses, putting pressure on wires to make sure they aren't shorting, turning things on and off (brake lights and turn signals), etc.), to no avial. Possibly a bad ground? What does anybody think?

thanks, pete

i think that can be a real nightmare, its hooked up to horn, turn signal, signal module, speedometer, and brake light switches, looks like you got some troubleshooting to do. Good luck with that.

Howdy,

Welcome to the XL Forum !!!

I wouldn't think a bad ground would cause excessive current draw, more likely too good of a ground where you don't want one (i.e. a wire has a nick in it an occasionally shorts to ground).

The ACC circuit is the orange with white stripe wire. It feeds the speedo, horn, turn signals, brake light and turn signal module (also the marker lights on international models). So you probably want to concentrate on these circuits.

You might want to check in and around your control housings for wire nicks, especially if you've had them apart at any time recently. You might want to be suspicious of your speedo and/or the speed sensor. A short in either of these could be possible. You can disconnect the connector on the back of the speedo for a little while to see if there is a problem there (note: if you do that your turn signals will not self cancel while it's disconnected). I don't know how you can isolate the turn signal module easily without loosing your turn signals?

Gary

You might wanna try wiring in an ammeter (basically replacing the fuse with the meter). It'll save you a lot of time while you're troubleshooting and give you a good idea where all the current draw in the circuit is.

well, i've narrowed it down. I disconnected my speedometer (and tach and gauge lights, and indicator lights), and the problem is gone. so, according to my wiring diagram, it's either the speedometer, trip reset, or speed sensor. anyone ever have something go wrong with these before? and my clymer manual mentions nother about where the speed sensor is, so I'm assuming it's an internal part of the speedo...any thoughts or ideas??

thanks, pete

It could be a bad speedo... more likely though a bad sensor or a short in the line to the sensor. The line to the sensor has power and return signal wrapped in a ground shield.

The speed sensor is in the rear of the engine cases. It screws into the tranny area. There is a three pin connector under your seat where you can disconnect the sensor. I'd try to see if you can plug the speedo back in after you disconnect the connector under the seat. That will eliminate or zero in on the sensor depending on what happens.

Gazza