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

tail light problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 21, 2012 | 01:59 PM
  #1  
Schaub85's Avatar
Schaub85
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: Champaign, IL
Default tail light problem

So my running light doesn't seem to work. If I hit the brake it works fine but the tag light comes on too. So I'm not sure where my problem is. I thought it was the rear harness because it was frayed but I replaced it. So I'm worried it's somewhere in the main harness but I figured I'd ask y'all first.
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2012 | 02:17 PM
  #2  
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

Check the fuse under the seat. The box is labeled, and there are a couple spares of the right amperage in there, too.
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2012 | 04:05 PM
  #3  
sagebrush1976's Avatar
sagebrush1976
Road Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 15
From: Peach Bottom, PA
Default

Start simple.....try a new lightbulb. Its a dual filament bulb so its possible that the running light filament could be burnt out and the brake light still work.
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2012 | 06:48 PM
  #4  
Schaub85's Avatar
Schaub85
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: Champaign, IL
Default

It's an led
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2012 | 07:11 PM
  #5  
PanHeadRich's Avatar
PanHeadRich
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 68
From: Big Bear City, CA
Default

Originally Posted by Schaub85
It's an led
That's most likely the problem. Put the standard bulbs back in, if it works correctly with standard bulbs, it's the LEDs. Is your bike equipped with a Run, Turn, Brake controller? A lot of bikes won't work right with LEDs unless you install the controller.
 

Last edited by PanHeadRich; Jul 21, 2012 at 07:14 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2012 | 05:57 PM
  #6  
Schaub85's Avatar
Schaub85
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: Champaign, IL
Default

No it's a Harley tribar led
 
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2012 | 06:00 PM
  #7  
Schaub85's Avatar
Schaub85
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: Champaign, IL
Default

Oh and I did remove my turn signals could there be a load issue?
 
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2012 | 06:55 PM
  #8  
PanHeadRich's Avatar
PanHeadRich
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 68
From: Big Bear City, CA
Default

Originally Posted by Schaub85
Oh and I did remove my turn signals could there be a load issue?
Yes it could be. Just try hooking the signals back up to see if the problem goes away. That's probably the easiest way to trouble shoot.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

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

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 23, 2012 | 07:00 PM
  #9  
RANGER73's Avatar
RANGER73
Club Member
Veteran: Army
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,445
Likes: 7,136
From: Beyond Fucital
Default

Sound like your LED is shot. Bad printed circuit board, or wire broken off.
 
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2012 | 07:51 PM
  #10  
trozenhorse's Avatar
trozenhorse
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 731
Likes: 2
From: Montreal Quebec Canada
Default

i just had that, i used a test light to check the dual circuit, it was the bulb
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:57 AM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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