No brake light - Help?
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From: Missouri
No brake light - Help?
So took my ‘09 Heritage to get the two year inspection for plate renewal. Everything worked except the rear light and brake light. I put in a new bulb and the running light worked but not the brake light. Using hand or pedal no brake light. If I push hard on the bulb they both light up. But leaving the bulb as it should be in the socket only the running light works. I checked fuse box and all are okay. Any suggestions? I can turn wrenches but electrical is not my strong point. Thanks for any help.
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So took my ‘09 Heritage to get the two year inspection for plate renewal. Everything worked except the rear light and brake light. I put in a new bulb and the running light worked but not the brake light. Using hand or pedal no brake light. If I push hard on the bulb they both light up. But leaving the bulb as it should be in the socket only the running light works. I checked fuse box and all are okay. Any suggestions? I can turn wrenches but electrical is not my strong point. Thanks for any help.
Does that mean that if you apply either brake (hand or foot) that both elements within the bulb light? As in a regular bulb when brake is applied.
Is it a regular bulb and NOT an LED wedge bulb.
It looks like your bike should have a Harley 68167-04 bulb that might also be known as a regular #3157 bulb.
Neither numbers are LED.
It is a wedge type of bulb.
From a distance it reads as if the bulb is not making contact with electrical contacts in socket.
Either the bulb is bad or socket pins need to be bent back in line.
Sometimes individuals jam a bulb into the socket and bend the electrical contact clips in the socket.
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Intermediate
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From: Missouri
If I am holding the socket in my hand and push the bulb farther in then both filaments light up. That’s without applying either brake.
otherwise with the bulb properly in the socket only the running filament lights up.
otherwise with the bulb properly in the socket only the running filament lights up.
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The contacts within socket are probably bent.
It will require removal of bulb and pin point light in order to look at contacts.
They can sometimes be bent back in shape.
Assumption made:
That bulb is the correct number indicated earlier.
That bulb is undamaged. A broken brake filament inside bulb can rest on running light filament and cause both filaments to light.
That no aftermarket or after sale run/turn/brake light modulator is in play causing a problem.
That someone did not damage the brake switch at handlebar by changing levers or performing some kind of service since rubber switch tip is easily damaged if left unprotected during service.
The broken switch rubber tip would leave brake light ON at all times.
*Wild card: someone lowered rear end of bike and wheel scrubbed wire loom under fender.
Do you know how to use a digital voltage meter or test light?
A quick review of contacts at socket would give you an answer with key place in ON but engine OFF.
Both filaments should not be ON at all times.
It will require removal of bulb and pin point light in order to look at contacts.
They can sometimes be bent back in shape.
Assumption made:
That bulb is the correct number indicated earlier.
That bulb is undamaged. A broken brake filament inside bulb can rest on running light filament and cause both filaments to light.
That no aftermarket or after sale run/turn/brake light modulator is in play causing a problem.
That someone did not damage the brake switch at handlebar by changing levers or performing some kind of service since rubber switch tip is easily damaged if left unprotected during service.
The broken switch rubber tip would leave brake light ON at all times.
*Wild card: someone lowered rear end of bike and wheel scrubbed wire loom under fender.
Do you know how to use a digital voltage meter or test light?
A quick review of contacts at socket would give you an answer with key place in ON but engine OFF.
Both filaments should not be ON at all times.
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adamsrotors
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