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Taillight 4a fuse blowing
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 3:23 pm
by BigRockR
HELP! My 04 Rock has 15K on the odo...never any problems till now. when I have a hard start, where I have to crank the throttle to get the engine to turn over, it will pop the 4a fuse to the tail-light. If it starts easy, the fuse doesnt pop and the tailight runs fine..until I get on the trottle hard...then it pops the fuse. when i pull the fuse...I am reading up to 38v accross the contacts. I suspect Voltage regulator.... One thing that did happen that may have done this is i jumped the bike off through the acc. plug and the guys charger was set on high voltage...it was in a bike shop so i thought i was ok......any HELP appreciated.
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 8:05 am
by m@rco
Problems starting your rockster? Tennessee is not that cold, I would have thought. I have lived in that area...
I am unaware of any other Rockster riders that need to "crank the throttle" as you mentioned. Are you using the choke lever? For example, I can start my bike without using the "choke" (actually, it is only an idle speed increaser) at ambient temperatures above 60F (15C) without any problems. Below that, I usually use the "choke" in order for the engine to run a bit smoother. Around freezing, I always use the "choke". Under all circumstances, I let it idle for about 1 minute while I put on helmet and gloves. Then start driving immediately (take it easy) so as to warm it up quicker and have less wear. After about 10 miles (15km), I am ready to open it up...
Note that, if I "play" with the throttle (rev the engine), right after a cold start, the engine will stall. Also, please note that, under any ambient temperatures (I don't drive when below freezing), I only need to start once (maybe 2 seconds max) and the engine will start to run. Nowadays electronics for regulating emmissions, injection, ambient temperature, engine temperature, etc. might not tolerate use of throttle (in combination with choke) and throw off the system.
I am not sure why your fuse is popping, but I would think that it has to do with the fuel injection pump (or other electronics) that make use of the same fuse as the tail-light. Try starting without the use of the throttle or else contact BMW service to find out why it doesn't want to crack easily.
tailight 4a Fuse Blowing
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:26 am
by BigRockR
That's exactlly how I start my bike. Just sometimes have to blip the throttle...mostly if its a little chilly. Even if I have an easy start and go ride....the fuse will pop if I get on the throttle hard.... I am thinking when the guy hooked me up to the battery charger and it was on high voltage....unknowingly....we damaged the voltage regulator...My local BMW dealer is about 2 hrs away....So the dealer is my last resort.
Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 7:41 am
by m@rco
Hmm. Interesting to hear that the fuse will pop after an easy start. That would imply that the fuse may pop under any circumstances (hot or cold engine). Not sure if I can help you there. I just don't know any thing about voltage regulators etc.
A last note on starting the engine: you know that the choke has two settings. When the lever is about half way, it will remain in that position and increase idle speed. You may also push further (against the spring) to increase idle even further. You might want to try that (and keep it in a steady position) when cranking.
Needless to say that all systems (carburators or injection) generally do not like if you fiddle around (open, close, open, close) with the throttle while starting. That creates an unstable fuel/air mixture in the combusion chamber and generally doesn't help during a start (risk of flooding, etc.).
Maybe someone else on this forum can help. Good luck!
Re: Taillight 4a fuse blowing
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 1:19 pm
by BigRockR
Hey all,
I never gave a conclusion to this saga. It turned out to be a short in the tail light somewhere....I rewired the light with an in line fuse and wired directly to the fuse panel...works without a hitch now.
See yall at MOA in Johnson City Tn....my hometown....hit me up for the backstage rides that only the locals know...Deals Gap is great to say you did....kinda like Dollywood around here though....too many tourist and cops wanting to spoil a great ride...but hey they have T-Shirts!