OK, I need some help. Just bought a 1991 Softail Custom FXSTC. The headlight and taillight are not working. When I turn the bike on and flip the switch, nothing happens. The taillight does not work either when the brakes are applied. The turn signals do however flash but are not on when I flip the switch.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Simple stuff first, check bulbs and look for any obvious loose connections, especially at the ignition switch and the circuit breakers (they are at the rear of the dash panel).

Get out your voltmeter, turn ignition switch on and check the voltage at all the posts on the (3) circuit breakers.

 

Thanks for the reply,

So checked all connections at the ignition switch, one was loose, fixed it and headlights/high beam and tail light now work...Great!!

So that's the first hurdle cleared successfully.

Now I believe the front and rear amber lights should be illuminated when lights are on correct? This is not the case, they are all out. Also the taillight does not change brightness when the foot and hand brake are depressed?
As I look for additional connection shorts, is there one item that can tie both of those issues together?

Thanks again for any help, as the bike work is very new to me.

 

The front amber lights should be illuminated whenever the switch is turned on, they are running lights in addition to being turn signals.

The rear amber lights are only turn signals, not running lights.

Do the turn signals work, and horn?

 

Ah ok, so yes I still have a problem. And yes the turn signals and horn do work. I am trying to track down a wiring schematic but not having much luck. The one I found I cant make out the color and number codes on, its, hard to follow.

Thanks

 

You might consider buying a HD shop manual from a discount HD dealer. I got mine for $48 and free shipping.

 

Have you replaced the tail light bulb?

 

I haven't replaced the taillight bulb because it is on when I turned the lights on, so I just assumed it's working.

 

The tail light bulb is a dual filament bulb.

The running light circuit powers one filament, the brake light powers the other (brighter) filament.

The same goes for the front turn signal/running lights, the running light circuit powers one filament, the turn signal circuit powers the other (brighter) filament.

 

Ok, so chances of the three bulbs going at the same time are slim, so it seems like it's pointing more toward the one running circuit