Front running lights
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 759
Likes: 34
From: Virginia
So which "running lights" are you referring to? The two lights on either side of the headlight should be controlled by the "spot" switch and won't just come on when you turn on the ignition unless the switch is already on. If you are talking about the front fender tip light, that is usually connected to power by a thin, flimsy wire that is exposed to a lot of dirt, water, crud, etc. and is easily damaged and prone to not working for one reason or another.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 2
From: Sarasota, Florida
You said "running lights" and not headlight, correct? You may or may not have a front fender tip light, that is not required to be on by law. If it doesn't work trace the wire and see where the problem is along the way. The front signals should be a dual filament type and would be on for running and brighter when signal is on. MOST everybody knows that the fronts are dual filament. If the bulbs are dual filament, trace the wires. Electrical stuff is fun, hehe. These "running lights" are not required to be on by law either, but as others have stated, more lights work in your favor.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Seems like lots of confusion here. You have a headlight, turn signal/marker lights (amber in color) fender tip lamp, and passing lamps.
The headlight must be on at all times you should have a hi and low beam. Required by law.
The turn signal/marker light should be on at all time and should flash brighter when you activate the signal. Not sure if the marker is required by law or not.
Fender tip light should be on when the key is on not required by law
Passing lamps should work when the toggle switch is on and the headlamp is on low beam. Not a requirement to work by law. I do however leave mine on with the low beam. Like to be seen.
So which one does not work correctly?
The headlight must be on at all times you should have a hi and low beam. Required by law.
The turn signal/marker light should be on at all time and should flash brighter when you activate the signal. Not sure if the marker is required by law or not.
Fender tip light should be on when the key is on not required by law
Passing lamps should work when the toggle switch is on and the headlamp is on low beam. Not a requirement to work by law. I do however leave mine on with the low beam. Like to be seen.
So which one does not work correctly?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 759
Likes: 34
From: Virginia
Ah...now I get it. Running lights/Turn signals. I gotta agree with TheShrink. Check the bulbs again to be sure they are dual-filament on the front. Rear lights are single-filament and it's easy to get them mixed up, especially if the lenses were changed to clear or smoked lenses. I'd buy new bulbs first, it would be a shame to pay HD hourly shop rates for "another appointment" just so they could sell you $2.00 worth of bulbs.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 53
From: ID Ho
Ah...now I get it. Running lights/Turn signals. I gotta agree with TheShrink. Check the bulbs again to be sure they are dual-filament on the front. Rear lights are single-filament and it's easy to get them mixed up, especially if the lenses were changed to clear or smoked lenses. I'd buy new bulbs first, it would be a shame to pay HD hourly shop rates for "another appointment" just so they could sell you $2.00 worth of bulbs.
Need a volt meter and start checking wires from connector to connector.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 759
Likes: 34
From: Virginia
What will they think of next? Probably designed that way to prevent idiots like me from getting them mixed up......
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Western IL
Now we're getting somewhere. This is what I don't have. The marker light in the turn signals are not on but the signals do work. These are the bulbs the tech says he checked and were good. Now what? Like I said before, this bike is not new but is new to me so I'm in a learning situation here so I WON'T have to take it to the HD dealer. I'm hoping for answers I can't come up with myself and so far you're not doing bad. Look here look there. That's what I'm after. And you're right, electrical is a blast. I guess I should add because someone mentioned it, the previous owner did in fact change the lenses to the smoke ones. Don't know if this means anything or not.
Rog