Taillight Stays On When Bike is Off
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Stage III
Joined: May 2026
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From: Wisconsin
Taillight Stays On When Bike is Off
I'm a novice here so I'll explain it as thoroughly as I can. I have a 2005 Heritage Softail Classic. I just got done putting on a fuel tuner, changing pipes, removing old speakers and controls and adding new ones and changed the broken FRONT BRAKE SWITCH.
After plenty of hiccups, I'm left with an electrical issue I can't wrap my brain around: Everything works fine with the bike on. When I turn it off, my taillight (not the brakes, but the dimmer one that is barely visible). I unplugged the rear brake (harness?) and it wasn't the problem. If I ever so slightly depress the brake lever, the taillight goes out, but as soon as I let go, it comes back on. It the tab on the lever which depresses the brake switch were worn, I wouldn't think that squeezing the handle would fix it so I don't think that's it. The only thing I can find online is possibly bad handlebar switch modules.
Any thoughts or suggestions will be appreciated.
After plenty of hiccups, I'm left with an electrical issue I can't wrap my brain around: Everything works fine with the bike on. When I turn it off, my taillight (not the brakes, but the dimmer one that is barely visible). I unplugged the rear brake (harness?) and it wasn't the problem. If I ever so slightly depress the brake lever, the taillight goes out, but as soon as I let go, it comes back on. It the tab on the lever which depresses the brake switch were worn, I wouldn't think that squeezing the handle would fix it so I don't think that's it. The only thing I can find online is possibly bad handlebar switch modules.
Any thoughts or suggestions will be appreciated.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,143
Likes: 12,707
From: South Carolina
Do you know if this issue existed before you did the work?
Carbureted or Fuel Injected (different wiring diagrams)?
Pull the "Lights" fuse, does the tail lamp go out?
Carbureted or Fuel Injected (different wiring diagrams)?
Pull the "Lights" fuse, does the tail lamp go out?
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Today at 06:14 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,537
Likes: 6,412
From: Honah Lee
extremeimpulse @extremeimpulse
Clean or replace the key ignition switch. The 2005 is pretty easy to inspect. People dump spray graphite in the key hole and it ends up in the switch grease.
If you clean it, add a touch of dialetic silicon contacts grease.
Just a thought but not your issue. Be sure the little round disk in the light socket on the rear is not broken allowing the little lead spring loaded bulb contacts to come together anytime you replace bulbs.
Also, were you very carefully replacing that micro switch in the clamshell? Solder skill, shrink wrap and getting that little v spring all back in there takes patience.
PS... Welcome to HDFORUM.
Clean or replace the key ignition switch. The 2005 is pretty easy to inspect. People dump spray graphite in the key hole and it ends up in the switch grease.
If you clean it, add a touch of dialetic silicon contacts grease.
Just a thought but not your issue. Be sure the little round disk in the light socket on the rear is not broken allowing the little lead spring loaded bulb contacts to come together anytime you replace bulbs.
Also, were you very carefully replacing that micro switch in the clamshell? Solder skill, shrink wrap and getting that little v spring all back in there takes patience.
PS... Welcome to HDFORUM.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Today at 09:08 AM.
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