Tail Light Wiring Question

NAKID · July 22, 2009, 04:37:28 PM

Pics worked for you since you were logged in.

Anyway. Looks like the bulb grounds to the taillight housing. I would try running a ground wire from the inside frame of the light housing to the ground wire from the bike...

He Man · July 22, 2009, 05:22:25 PM

Someone correct me if im wrong, but the dot in the middle is your hot, and the metal base it locks itself into is the ground. but the ground connects to the unit so it is automatically grounded when it touches your frame. or there is a screw in the back of the unit that you can loop a spade tougne into and secure then attatch to the frame. if either fails, id solder one directly onto the base of one of the bulbs base plate

Have you checked to see if the other bulb is burnt out?

i believe if you run both the wires from the unit to your power lines on the bike, they should both be on (well the other would turn on when you hit the brakes). the ground is obviously working. the only way both bulbs wouldnt turn on is if u plug the ground from your bike into the power of the unit and power into hte other wire, that might of caused the bulb to break (or it could of been broken to begin with from shipping)

NAKID · July 22, 2009, 05:35:06 PM

But if it's bolted to the plastic bear tray, it never touches metal.

El Matador · July 22, 2009, 05:35:30 PM

Quote from: He Man on July 22, 2009, 05:22:25 PM
Someone correct me if im wrong, but the dot in the middle is your hot, and the metal base it locks itself into is the ground. but the ground connects to the unit so it is automatically grounded when it touches your frame. or there is a screw in the back of the unit that you can loop a spade tougne into and secure then attatch to the frame. if either fails, id solder one directly onto the base of one of the bulbs base plate

Have you checked to see if the other bulb is burnt out?

i believe if you run both the wires from the unit to your power lines on the bike, they should both be on (well the other would turn on when you hit the brakes). the ground is obviously working. the only way both bulbs wouldnt turn on is if u plug the ground from your bike into the power of the unit and power into hte other wire, that might of caused the bulb to break (or it could of been broken to begin with from shipping)

I sautered ground cables from the base of the bulb holders and connected it to the ground from the bike.

I also just got two brand new bulbs. It still does not work. What the make the beast with two backs am I doing wrong!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[/img]http://lh3.ggpht.com/_U50QCYjwKxo/Sme9YmxZr-I/AAAAAAAAAPg/MG8JOg1dsX4/s720/IMG00031-20090722-2026.jpg[/img]

He Man · July 22, 2009, 05:56:45 PM

Quote from: NAKID on July 22, 2009, 05:35:06 PM
But if it's bolted to the plastic bear tray, it never touches metal.

ok dude. heres the next thing to try.

remove your soldered grounds, and being that there are only 2 wires, and 3 connections theres only 6 possible combos. do each one and tell us what happens, (which bulb does which wire connect to and which bulb turns on)

this sound stupid, but dont forget to actually squeeze the brake lever otherwise it wont turn on. also, try the old unit out to make sure your switch isnt broken.

NAKID · July 22, 2009, 06:07:24 PM

Quote from: El Matador on July 22, 2009, 05:35:30 PM
I sautered ground cables from the base of the bulb holders and connected it to the ground from the bike.

I also just got two brand new bulbs. It still does not work. What the make the beast with two backs am I doing wrong!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Fixed the pic, but I have to second He Man...

Where did you get the light? What is it listed as working on?

El Matador · July 22, 2009, 06:12:26 PM

Quote from: NAKID on July 22, 2009, 06:07:24 PM
Fixed the pic, but I have to second He Man...

Where did you get the light? What is it listed as working on?

I'm an idiot. I had blown the duse and didn't realize it. Ill get a new one tommorrow and try it out.

NAKID · July 22, 2009, 06:18:17 PM

Seriously? Well, then hopefully it's just as simple as that...

He Man · July 22, 2009, 06:27:41 PM

thats what you get for plugging sticking it in unknown places. your lucky its not full blown aids.

El Matador · July 23, 2009, 09:15:27 AM

Quote from: He Man on July 22, 2009, 06:27:41 PM
thats what you get for plugging sticking it in unknown places. your lucky its not full blown aids.

Yup, that was it. Just put in a new fuse and it all works. The grounds are good. I guess I must not have noticed when it blew while I was drowning in frustration.

Here are some pics:

He Man · July 23, 2009, 03:16:23 PM

that looks pretty sweet man. but id get a ticket in a minute with that thing.

News:

Tail Light Wiring Question