I have a 2001 ultra classic and some times my brake light don't work. when it does the lights on trunk go out. anybody know why?

 

Congrats on first post and welcome to the Forum

 

Welcome to the forum. Lots of useful info to be had here. Sounds like maybe the sending unit. It is located in the brake line near the frame, somewhere about mid way back near the tranny area on the right side (sitting on bike). Small little inline thing with some wiring attached (sorry, no pics) that is actuated by the brake fluid pressure. easy $10 fix, but you have to remove it from the brake line to change it, which lets air in the system. So a brake bleed is in order after install. Good time to flush out old fluid. Check and see if your lights work with the front lever, but not the back brake lever (foot). That will tell you. Before I changed mine my riding buddy said my brake lights would flash. I assume it was failing. It eventually quit all together.

 

Thanks and thanks for the reply. I did check both the pedal and the front lever, it acts the same. I have the tour pack on my ultra and when you hit the brakes the lights either don't work or the fender light works and the tour pack lights go out.

 

Do you have a stock setup or do you have a converter that allows the tour-pak brake lights to operate as turn signals also? If you have a converter, you might try disconnecting it to see what happens.

 

It has the brake light kit on it. It was on already on it when I purchased it. Do you know where that would be located? Also if you turn switch on accessory and step on brakes all the lights on tour pack come on, (side markers & tail lights on tour pack)

 

On my 07 it connects into rear wiring under the seat behind the battery. It's an unmarked black box 2/3 the size of a pack of cards. Mine is plug-n-play.
Your results may vary...

 

AFAIK the converters usually plug inline at the front of the rear fender. The stock harness to the rear lights usually connects to the main harness near the front of the rear fender. The rear light harness is usually run under the top of the rear fender (above the tire) and it exits from under the fender thru a hole in the front top section of the fender. You unplug the harness and plug the converter in between the main & rear harness. There are a few different brands out there so I not sure if they all connect the same way.


Just a hint, when you are asking questions about your bike, it's helpful if you include the year, model, any mods, and if any recent changes/services were done.

 

Ok, thanks. Its a 2001 ultra classic. I think everything was working ok last fall and just started it yesterday and was checking everything over and noticed the problem. Haven't taken it out yet this spring. You can hear the relay click every time you hit the brakes. I was thinking that maybe there is a bad ground or connection some place that corroded over winter. will check it out when I get a chance.

 

Check and see if your rear tire rubbed the harness under the fender.