I am dumber than dirt when it comes to electrons - let's get that established right up front!
I bought a tester light at an auto parts store to trouble shoot a problem a few months ago but never used it. Discovered my horn (after market Rivco electric model) wasn't working while at Biketoberfest so out came the test light this afternoon.
Here come all the dumb questions:
1. The tester light has alligator clips covered by a red, flexible piece of plastic. Does this mean that the clips should only be connected to "positive?" Connected the clips to battery positive and the probe to battery negative and the light came on. Didn't have the guts to try it the other way.
2. Figured I'd start by seeing if the actual horn was getting any juice when the handlebar switch is pressed. When I attempted to attach the afore mentioned red clip to the front terminal of the horn, it honked as soon as the clip touched the terminal. This was with no activation of the handlebar switch. Tried touching the red clip to the rear terminal and got a shower of sparks! What's happening here?
3. I was thinking a blown fuse or bad ground somewhere but the facts in question 2 above kind of eliminate that theory. Now I'm leaning towards a bad handlebar switch. Sound logical?
Of course I've violated a cardinal rule and began troubleshooting when I don't have much time to follow through. I leave tomorrow on a trip and won't be able to mess with the bike again until next Tuesday.
Any replies will be filed away in my feeble brain and used next week!
Thanks.
I bought a tester light at an auto parts store to trouble shoot a problem a few months ago but never used it. Discovered my horn (after market Rivco electric model) wasn't working while at Biketoberfest so out came the test light this afternoon.
Here come all the dumb questions:
1. The tester light has alligator clips covered by a red, flexible piece of plastic. Does this mean that the clips should only be connected to "positive?" Connected the clips to battery positive and the probe to battery negative and the light came on. Didn't have the guts to try it the other way.
2. Figured I'd start by seeing if the actual horn was getting any juice when the handlebar switch is pressed. When I attempted to attach the afore mentioned red clip to the front terminal of the horn, it honked as soon as the clip touched the terminal. This was with no activation of the handlebar switch. Tried touching the red clip to the rear terminal and got a shower of sparks! What's happening here?
3. I was thinking a blown fuse or bad ground somewhere but the facts in question 2 above kind of eliminate that theory. Now I'm leaning towards a bad handlebar switch. Sound logical?
Of course I've violated a cardinal rule and began troubleshooting when I don't have much time to follow through. I leave tomorrow on a trip and won't be able to mess with the bike again until next Tuesday.
Any replies will be filed away in my feeble brain and used next week!
Thanks.