Rectifier blows main fuse - Virago 535

[monadyne]

Hi, everybody. I have an 87 Virago 535. The main fuse was blowing every once in a while. Then it started blowing every time I tried to install the fuse. I traced all the wires and figured out that it was the wire to the rectifier that causes it. If I unplug the rectifier, then the problem goes away.

This ~should~ indicate that one of the wires is shorting to ground, right? When I put a continuity tester between either connector and ground (or the neg terminal of the battery) it does ~not~ indicate that there's a short, i.e., the circuit remains "open."

I found a couple of references on the internet of somebody saying they had this exact problem with a 535. One guy said he replaced the rectifier/regulator assembly and still had the same issue. Since a rectifier costs $178, I don't want to just go ahead and replace it if some other 535 owner has had the same problem and found a solution.

Anybody???

[monadyne]

UPDATE:

Since I left the message above, I saw an aftermarket rectifier/regulator on eBay for $56. So, I bought it. The rectifier/regulator is buried below the frame on the Virago, up above the faux-muffler. To get at it, you have to remove the muffler, which means removing all of the exhaust components.

With this aftermarket unit, I can connect the wires and test to see if it, too, blows the main fuse. If it does, then the problem wasn't my original rectifier/regulator -- I can put the unit I just bought back up on eBay and try to get some of my money back. If it does solve the problem, then it'll be worth my effort, obviously, to take off the exhaust system and install the new part.

I'm still open to hearing from anybody else who has wrestled with this problem.

[vc_nsw]

Originally Posted by monadyne

UPDATE:

Since I left the message above, I saw an aftermarket rectifier/regulator on eBay for $56. So, I bought it. The rectifier/regulator is buried below the frame on the Virago, up above the faux-muffler. To get at it, you have to remove the muffler, which means removing all of the exhaust components.

With this aftermarket unit, I can connect the wires and test to see if it, too, blows the main fuse. If it does, then the problem wasn't my original rectifier/regulator -- I can put the unit I just bought back up on eBay and try to get some of my money back. If it does solve the problem, then it'll be worth my effort, obviously, to take off the exhaust system and install the new part.

I'm still open to hearing from anybody else who has wrestled with this problem.

I am experiencing the same issue with my 2001 R6. If the RR is connected, the main fuse will blow up immediately. If I d/c the RR, the main fuse is fine. I am not sure if the Starter relay has something to do with it?

[vc_nsw]

I have replaced my R/R and still the main fuse continue to blow up ...

Am trying to test for wires shorting to ground but no luck with that. If one of the wires is short circuit, the main fuse should blow up regardless the R/R is connected or not, isn't it?

Expert advise anyone?