GSXR600 Tail lamp fuse blowing: NOW FIXED

[GSXR_Warrior]

As in the title the tail lamp fuse on my 600 GSXR SRAD blows occasionally, about 2 weeks duration between replacements, I have checked all the wiring connections, WD40'd and cleaned them, but it's still happening. Any ideas?
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GSXR600K4 Blue - fastest colour. No mods as yet. Happy with standard bike.
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[Bezzer]

If you're happy with the wiring and earthing then it could well be the actual bulb holder, a bit of a slack fit and the vibrations could break the filament or if the holder contacts weren't fully up against the bulb contacts then again vibration could keep making and breaking the current until it blows the bulb. A mate following behind would see that one, for the slack holder just pinch it in ever so slightly with a pair of fine nosed pliers where the bayonet slots are.

Edit - dickhead that I am I missed the fuse bit and took it to be just the bulb,sorry but having said that the faulty holder one could cause the fuse to blow by causing a short, would just be a question as to whether the fuse or bulb went first.
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I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

[Guest]

Has it started happening since you've had the bodywork off, or fitted an undertray or any similar firtling?

[GSXR_Warrior]

I had the fairing off to check the wiring connections and clean them. The bulbs don't blow, just the fuse. Once I replace the fuse the rear light works fine for a while then the fuse blows. The brake light still works so as long as I don't stay out too late it's not too much of a problem but would like to sort it.

Thanks for your suggestions so far. I think I will need to strip down the tail fairing and check all the connections at that end.....bad earth I am thinking at the moment.
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GSXR600K4 Blue - fastest colour. No mods as yet. Happy with standard bike.
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[meooo]

I wouldnt think a bad earth would cause the fuse to blow, that is caused by a short to earth or a current overload. perhaps the bulb's blowing due to vibration and shorting to earth or putting on the brake light and overloading the fuse, this can happen when you apply the brake and it back-feeds the circuit if the blown side light element is contacting the stop light element.

[GSXR_Warrior]

[veeeffarr]

Have you checked the wattage of the bulb you're using is correct?

[meooo]

Then I suspect a trapped wire aroud the fairing somewhere, or possibly around the lamp unit.......is it only the rear light going off?
possibly the problem is in the front light somewhere but you dont notice it cos the headlight masks the problem?

[stinkwheel]

Probably a chaffed insulation on a wire somewhere exposing the wiring. The exposed wire is probably then moving about and occasionally touching the frame at which point you get a short circuit and the fuse blows.

I would look at the rear brake switch and the wiring going to and from it first as this is pretty exposed.

It is unlikely to be something inside the wrapping on the main loom but check this where it goes past the headstock as this is a classic place for the wiring harness to rub and wear through. Also check anywhere the wiring passes through or under any bodywork.

Remember, the wire will go from the fuse box, out to both switches then back to the bulb. The fault has to be somewhere between the bulb and the fusebox.

Also have a quick check on your wiring diagram to make sure nothing else uses that fuse, it is fairly common to have the horn on the same circuit for example.

EDIT: You said 'tail light' and I read it as brake light . If this is the case, there is a bit more wiring to check. Still has to be between the fuse and the bulb though (either the taillight bulb or the sidelight bulb). Remember the 'park' switch on the ignition is also usually part of this circuit.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[GSXR_Warrior]