Ducati Monster Forum

Hey guys,

Just had an odd thing happen today.  I just put in my Power Commander III (works great btw) but when I buttoned everything up my tailight running light wasnt working, and my front brake wasnt triggering the brake light.  The rear brake triggered the brake light just fine.

So...I tore everything down, checked the connections, the bulb, noticed my license plate bulb was blown.  Checked my fuses (the rectangular box by the battery), put everything back together and nothing not even the rear brake.  I rode home and by the time i got home I had a running light, but no brake lights.

Any ideas? am I missing a fuse somewhere?? A connection I should check for the brake light switches?

Your owner's manual has a wiring diagram in the back.  Check the connection to the tail light with a meter or a test light.  You are looking for voltage at that connection with the brakes applied.  Also make sure you have a good ground.  If you have voltage and a good ground the problem is the bulb or socket.  Also make sure the bulb is not in backwards.  This assumes the brake light is not activated by either switch.

Thanks Howie....

Ok got the rear brake to start working at least.   I was fiddling with the test light, I heard a pop, and then the fuse blew.  Replaced that fuse (which appeared OK a few minutes before) and how I have a running tail light and the rear brake activates the brake light.  But now the front brake isn't turning on the brake light.

I'm going to trace the switch to see if there's a broken wire/short, is there any way to test the switch itself??

Locate the front brake switch.  It is a black micro switch with two wires.  Follow the wires down.  You will (if stock) come to two cheesy bullet connectors.  Disconnect them.  Jump the two wires going to the back of the bike..  If the brake light now goes on (key on) the problem is the switch, adjustment or the cheesy connector.  Careful, do not loose the screws that hold the switch or the little plastic dowel that activates the switch.