Topic: CB500 Ignition Switch Problem ?

[jaytee-nz]

Putting the wiring back together on my 1972 CB500 but I keep blowing fuses.
Initially everything was fine but every now and again the fuse would blow as soon as I turned the ignition switch on, without anything being moved or changed.
Now it blows the fuse every time.
I tried fitting an old headlight bulb to the fuse box to save fuses but that blew as well !
I disconnected the two black / white wires to the coils in case one had gone bad that made no difference.
There are no loose wires touching the frame or other wires and the earths are all good.
The ignition switch is an aftermarket one so based on previous posts, I'm beginning to suspect the little man from China has escaped or has crossed some wires in there !

[bryanj]

Easy enough to test with a multimeter set to OHMS but don't forget that when you turn switch on all the lives in the loom come on so could be a short anywhere, you could bridge the black and red in the loom at the switch block and see if a fuse blows then--if not switch duff, if so wiring fault

[jaytee-nz]

Thanks Bryan - I did check the switch with the multimeter and it appeared to be ok.
Can you give me some more specifics about testing it in case I wasn't doing it right.
Cheers - JT

[jaytee-nz]

Great - thanks Cal.

[jaytee-nz]

Took a while to track the issue down but the problem turned out to be a damaged bulb in the light panel. The contact at the end of the bulb had collapsed against the bulb body causing a short. As I read somewhere on this forum - electrical issues are hard to find but usually easy to fix !