Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Brake light question??????

Old Nov 28, 2017 | 10:46 AM
  #1  
Memo7070's Avatar
Memo7070
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 287
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
Default Brake light question??????

Good Day All, I am having a problem with rear taillight, my bulb blew so I changed it but now I do not have rear brake lights. I have checked my fluid in the reservoir and it is good. I have also recently changed the rear brake switch. I am at a loss, if anybody has any suggestions I would appreciate it. Thanks in Advance.


Memo
 
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2017 | 10:59 AM
  #2  
Bluraven's Avatar
Bluraven
Grand HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,971
Likes: 901
From: Omaha
Default

This might seem silly but did you install the correct bulb?
The tail light/stop light bulb has a dual element.
 
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2017 | 12:45 PM
  #3  
Memo7070's Avatar
Memo7070
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 287
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
Default

Originally Posted by Bluraven
This might seem silly but did you install the correct bulb?
The tail light/stop light bulb has a dual element.

Yah, I did.
 
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2017 | 12:48 PM
  #4  
QC's Avatar
QC
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Default

Did you check the fuse?
 
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2017 | 01:06 PM
  #5  
Memo7070's Avatar
Memo7070
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 287
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
Default

Originally Posted by QC
Did you check the fuse?

Not yet, but wouldn't the fuse be th same for the running light? I have that but no brake light?
 
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2017 | 01:16 PM
  #6  
Hey Man's Avatar
Hey Man
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10,284
Likes: 7,766
From: West Central FL
Default

Originally Posted by Memo7070
I have checked my fluid in the reservoir and it is good. I have also recently changed the rear brake switch. I am at a loss, if anybody has any suggestions I would appreciate it. Thanks in Advance.
You probably have an air bubble in the new switch. When I change a pressure switch I always take a syringe with some brake fluid and fill up the switch before I install it. Saves me from having to bleed the brakes to get rid of the air.
 
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2017 | 03:09 PM
  #7  
Memo7070's Avatar
Memo7070
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 287
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
Default

Originally Posted by Hey Man
You probably have an air bubble in the new switch. When I change a pressure switch I always take a syringe with some brake fluid and fill up the switch before I install it. Saves me from having to bleed the brakes to get rid of the air.

I has been a little while since I changed the brake switch. It was working fine until the bulb burnt out.


Thanks
 
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2017 | 04:01 PM
  #8  
Tampa Fatboy's Avatar
Tampa Fatboy
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,456
Likes: 10,452
From: Sunshine State
Default

I'd start with the socket contacts, inspect, then check the voltage. Then I'd move on to the wiring harness connection under the seat to the rear lights. Be interesting what you find. Brake switch goes bad usually throws a fuse going to ground or just no brake light, and the plunger goes bad light stays on. I dont know what were working with here.
 

Last edited by Tampa Fatboy; Nov 28, 2017 at 04:38 PM.
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 28, 2017 | 04:47 PM
  #9  
skid_pimp's Avatar
skid_pimp
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,996
Likes: 417
From: Cranbourne, VIC Australia
Default

Try pulling the bulb, spinning it 180 and reinstalling it. I've had bulbs before that were manufactured a bit off, and they would work one way and not the other.
 
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2017 | 08:25 PM
  #10  
07DeuceTX's Avatar
07DeuceTX
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 133
Likes: 10
From: Houston, TX
Default

What happens when you use the front brake ... Does the brake light illuminate then?
 
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:29 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE