Need some help with weird electrical issue (includes tale of police brutality)..

[WhiteStripe]

Ok, so no police brutality, but my friendly neighborhood police office just pulled me over and let me know that i have NO rear running lights.  He was actually very cool about it - first positive police experience of my life...

can anyone help me trouble shoot the following.

When bike is on (running or not) I have functional headlights, blinkers and brake light BUT when blinker or brakes are not turned on / engaged the only light that is working is the headlight.

No taillight, no license plate light and none of the blinker lights are on (which i assume the should be?).  In other words, just driving down the street and bike is dark in the back unless i hit the brakes or a blinker.

Checked all fuses and they are fine. Really need some help on this, stuck without a car for the week.

TIA

Tim

[ducpainter]

The directionals don't light unless they are turned on.

Have you checked the bulbs?

[Spidey]

If you have a tail chop (and therefore have likely removed the license plate light), it's probably just a blown tailbub.  Two screws, one on each side, will pop off the red cover.  Push the bulb in slightly and twist.  You can check if one of the two filaments is dead.  Don't screw the screws back in too tight.  They break easily in the plastic.

OTOH, if you license plate light isn't working (and you didn't get rid of it through a tail chop), that probably points to something different than a bulb.

[WhiteStripe]

No tail chop - bike is totally stock on the back end.  Am going to check the bulbs.

[WhiteStripe]

So my bulb is good. 

The bulb has two filiaments, when break goes both light - i am assuming that on one lights for just the tail light, so i am assuming that the electrical signal is f'ed up.  Just not sure where to start tracing it back, or maybe a common problem area to look for.

Thanks so much for any help or thoughts.

[billg69gmc]

Is this the bulb that has two stepped pins for the socket? If so, is it put in wrong?

[greenmonster]

Had something similar on my (carbed) bike.
One earth cable to rear light was semiworking.
Check/wiggle all rear, incl ind, earth cables.

[WhiteStripe]

Is this the bulb that has two stepped pins for the socket? If so, is it put in wrong?

think it is fine - it was working ok in the same position last week.

[Porsche Monkey]

I would put a bulb in it. Just because that one appears okay doesn't mean it is. Any auto parts store should have one.

[WhiteStripe]

I would put a bulb in it. Just because that one appears okay doesn't mean it is. Any auto parts store should have one.

yeah, but the bulb works when the brakes are on and the license plate bulb is out too...

I am going to start unplugging and replugging from the tail light back and see what happens.

This is such a PITA because i am without a car for this week and will need to ride at night.

Thanks.

[Porsche Monkey]

I would still replace the bulb because its cheap. Next step would be checking everything with a volt meter.

[corey]

So my bulb is good. 

The bulb has two filiaments, when break goes both light - i am assuming that on one lights for just the tail light, so i am assuming that the electrical signal is f'ed up.  Just not sure where to start tracing it back, or maybe a common problem area to look for.

Thanks so much for any help or thoughts.

Sounds like the bulb is in backwards...

[teddy037.2]

+1 on the bulb

[dbran1949]

There are two filaments in the tail/brake light bulb. The brake light is the brighter of the two. The tail light should not light when you activate the brake as you described (either switch foot or front hand). It should be on whenever the headlight is on.

Sometimes one filament breaks and falls across a working filament and lights as you describe

[WhiteStripe]

Sounds like the bulb is in backwards...

Interesting thought.  I actually flipped the bulb around backwards for kicks and in that position it lights when ignition on (but doesn't change with brake actuation when in backwards).  Guess electrical is fine and (as everyone has said) it is the bulb - hopefully good news.

Must be something wrong with one of the posts on the bulb - going to get a new one today.  Any suggestions on replacements?

Thanks to everyone for the help.