Tail Light and Instrument cluster don't light up

[FreakingBike]

2002 Monster 750, all fuses are good (unless there is a hidden one that I can't find?)

Speedo works just fine, warning lights are good, blinker light is good, the whole cluster works just like it should EXCEPT that it doesn't have any backlight.

Tail light is the same. The brake light and blinkers work just like they should, but the running tail light does not light up.

It's making a bit nervous to ride after dark.

[Howie]

The tail light could be as simple as a bad running light filament in the bulb or contact in the socket.  If your low and high beam operate it is not the fuse since it is the same fuse as the tail light, high and low beam and instrument lights.  Also, make sure you didn't accidentally dim the instrument lights.   Turn key on and within a few seconds press the button closest to the tach.

[FreakingBike]

Even with an LED tail light?

[Howie]

Well, since it is an LED there are no filaments, but it can still be the light.  Easy enough to check.  If you have voltage at the yellow wire going to the connector at the tail light the problem is the LED tail light.  The yellow wire also powers the license plate light.

[FreakingBike]

I have no voltage at the yellow wire. Lo/Hi beam work just fine.

I also tried the button pressing right at start up, all that happened was my clock came on, still no back light.

[Howie]

Next thing to check is the connection at the headlight switch, connector 5.  If you have power at the switch side the switch is good and you either have a bad connection in that connector or an open in the wire someplace in the wire harness.  Often the break will be where the  harness is held in place by a wire tie or where there is movement.

[FreakingBike]

There was a broken capacitor inside my tail light that I just noticed. I'm hoping that's my problem because my wires have voltage from the headlight switch. Can I use a house type light bulb to test the running light wires?

As for the instrument panel, I found a "reset" code for the instrument panel. With the ignition off, I hold both buttons. I then turn the key. The tach reads "USA" [blank] "USA" [blank] "USA" [brief pause] "OFF." Is this telling me that the dash is "off"? How do I get it to read "ON"?

[Howie]

A house bulb will not be lit by a 12 volt system.  You need a digital volt ohm amp meter (VOM) if you are even thinking about doing any electrical diagnosis on your bike though a 12 volt test lamp would be fine for this job.  You also need a wiring diagram.  There is one in your owner's manual.  No manual?  Download one here:  http://www.ducati.com/services/maintenance/index.do 

From your manual:
Instrument panel lighting
Turn the key to ON and press (B) (fig. 3.2) within 5
seconds to change instrument panel lighting power.

Again, if your license plate works you have power for the tail light (same yellow wire)

Code Select Expand

As for the instrument panel, I found a "reset" code for the instrument panel. With the ignition off, I hold both buttons. I then turn the key. The tach reads "USA" [blank] "USA" [blank] "USA" [brief pause] "OFF." Is this telling me that the dash is "off"? How do I get it to read "ON"?


Dunno.  I didn't know you could do that.