Tail light problem
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Tail light problem
Hey all,
Last week while i was on the road, my tail light broke off because of the vibration. It was still attached to the bike but the light was off. I thought it was the light bulb and when i changed the light bulb it still didn't come on. I then checked the wires and the fuses and found nothing wrong with them. I thought maybe the whole tail light housing got messed up so i hooked up two different tail lights but they didn't work either. Anyone have an idea on the source of the problem? I'd appreciate the help.
Last week while i was on the road, my tail light broke off because of the vibration. It was still attached to the bike but the light was off. I thought it was the light bulb and when i changed the light bulb it still didn't come on. I then checked the wires and the fuses and found nothing wrong with them. I thought maybe the whole tail light housing got messed up so i hooked up two different tail lights but they didn't work either. Anyone have an idea on the source of the problem? I'd appreciate the help.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 7
From: Texas
Have you checked the turn signal hydraulic fluid yet? If it's low it can affect sensors in the rear taillight switch. Should be at 6 oz. Below 4.5 oz can affect contact.
Check and lemme know.
Check and lemme know.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
I think he meant "blinker fluid" and it's kinda like muffler bearings or a snipe hunt.
How did you check the wires? Visual or did you check for continuity? With a test light or voltmeter, check for a signal coming out of the rear brake switch. It is a pressure switch that's operated in-line of your rear brake hydraulic line. The switch itself is directly behind the rear master cylinder. It'll most likely have two orange w/ white wires going to it. Key on, it'll have one hot side one not. Key on, rear brake pedal depressed it'll have two hot terminals. If that checks out, work your way backward to the tail light connectors. I suggest testing the rear switch first because it's easy to get to. You could also go directly to the tail light connectors with your test light.
How did you check the wires? Visual or did you check for continuity? With a test light or voltmeter, check for a signal coming out of the rear brake switch. It is a pressure switch that's operated in-line of your rear brake hydraulic line. The switch itself is directly behind the rear master cylinder. It'll most likely have two orange w/ white wires going to it. Key on, it'll have one hot side one not. Key on, rear brake pedal depressed it'll have two hot terminals. If that checks out, work your way backward to the tail light connectors. I suggest testing the rear switch first because it's easy to get to. You could also go directly to the tail light connectors with your test light.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Thanks for the help Scuba. I did check the rear brake switch with the voltage meter and it gave me thing so i went to the dealer and got a replacement. after installing the new one it gave me nothing once again. when i installed the new one i thought the battery was disconnected but it actually wasn't, i'm not sure if this will cause a problem. anyway, the light is still not operating. do you have any ideas on the problem? Thanks again.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
I used the model A tail light which is attached to a license plate bracket, mounted on the axle. The light broke off before and i duck taped it to the bracket and rode it like that while waiting for my friend to fab up a new one. anyway, the tape gave out and the light slumped down and it wasn't dangling or being held up by the wires. the light was out and i thought that it was just the bulb but i know now that it's something else.
the other day before i realized that there's something wrong, i took it for a spin around the block without the tail light off. like an idiot, i forgot that the wires were hanging off of the bike and touching the ground and was dragging it while i was riding the bike. i'm not sure but maybe that is the cause of the problem. that is why i got a new rear brake switch but the new one didn't fix the problem.
the other day before i realized that there's something wrong, i took it for a spin around the block without the tail light off. like an idiot, i forgot that the wires were hanging off of the bike and touching the ground and was dragging it while i was riding the bike. i'm not sure but maybe that is the cause of the problem. that is why i got a new rear brake switch but the new one didn't fix the problem.
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