Tail light shorting out? Need help!!
#1
Tail light shorting out? Need help!!
Hey all,
Here is my current situation:
-2011 FXDB
-Swapped out stock rear turn signal lights with the relocation stem that allows for a quick release sissy bar.
-Since doing so, I've had constant issues with the rear left turn signal/brake/running light.
-Issues are: no running light, but turn signal and brake light work.
-Removed entire rear left turn signal housing from bike.
-3 wires coming from light (black, blue, purple).
-I can see that the black is an obvious ground that is connected to housing, while blue and purple sit in a plastic circle that is removable from the main housing, with a spring underneath it.
-No cracks, rips, frays etc etc etc in any wire.
-Light sits in socket as it should, and I plug entire assembly into wire harness.
-Still no running light.
-Gently touch/wiggly blue and purple wires and get entire bulb to light.
-Now there's no turn signal or brake light.
-Let go of blue and purple wires and light goes out.
-Turn signal and brake work, but now no running light again.
What the hell am I not getting here? The purple and blue wires are sitting in a piece of plastic, not touching any metal or each other. I never changed anything in the light assembly when I had to do the light relocation, it was simply cut 3 wires, put them through a new hole, and reconnect. I'm at a complete loss here.
I've checked all fuses and we're good there.
So....
....please help!
Here is my current situation:
-2011 FXDB
-Swapped out stock rear turn signal lights with the relocation stem that allows for a quick release sissy bar.
-Since doing so, I've had constant issues with the rear left turn signal/brake/running light.
-Issues are: no running light, but turn signal and brake light work.
-Removed entire rear left turn signal housing from bike.
-3 wires coming from light (black, blue, purple).
-I can see that the black is an obvious ground that is connected to housing, while blue and purple sit in a plastic circle that is removable from the main housing, with a spring underneath it.
-No cracks, rips, frays etc etc etc in any wire.
-Light sits in socket as it should, and I plug entire assembly into wire harness.
-Still no running light.
-Gently touch/wiggly blue and purple wires and get entire bulb to light.
-Now there's no turn signal or brake light.
-Let go of blue and purple wires and light goes out.
-Turn signal and brake work, but now no running light again.
What the hell am I not getting here? The purple and blue wires are sitting in a piece of plastic, not touching any metal or each other. I never changed anything in the light assembly when I had to do the light relocation, it was simply cut 3 wires, put them through a new hole, and reconnect. I'm at a complete loss here.
I've checked all fuses and we're good there.
So....
....please help!
#3
That's what I was thinking as well. So after I posted this, I went back into the garage to stare at it, in the hopes that something would just jump out at me.
It did.
I was looking at the round plastic that the blue and purple wires are sitting in, and noticed a small "tab" that sticks out on the side. I also noticed a small groove that was not one of the groves that holds the bulb in. I turned the plastic piece so that the tab lined up with the groove, and slide it into place, and then put the bulb in.
"Magic"
Now I have a running light, turn signal, and brake light.
I still don't understand the engineering behind it, but the point is moot now, as we're back up and running.
Thanks for helping!
It did.
I was looking at the round plastic that the blue and purple wires are sitting in, and noticed a small "tab" that sticks out on the side. I also noticed a small groove that was not one of the groves that holds the bulb in. I turned the plastic piece so that the tab lined up with the groove, and slide it into place, and then put the bulb in.
"Magic"
Now I have a running light, turn signal, and brake light.
I still don't understand the engineering behind it, but the point is moot now, as we're back up and running.
Thanks for helping!
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koresample
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02-09-2015 10:38 PM