Basic tail and turn signal troubleshooting/ how to change turn signal bulbs

[Andrman]

Hi all,

I'm brand new here. Just got a 2000 Monster 900S i.e. yesterday. I wish I could make my first post in the Introductions forum but that will have to wait!

Here's my problem: the turn signals and tail/brake light don't work on this bike. The owner claims that if one bulb on the turn signals goes out, none of them will work. Is that true?

Otherwise here's what I've done so far:

• Looked at all bulbs, only the license plate bulb seemed to be burnt out. I replaced it, now it works. No change to the other lights. Also, the owner was checking the turn signals without removing them, so I'm not entirely sure all those bulbs are ok
• I looked at the tail light bulb and it seemed okay, but I assume it's dual filament so I'm going to head to the store and get a new bulb anyway.
• All the fuses looked okay
• The horn and headlight work

So my questions really are:
1) Are the tail light and turn signals connected? They are on the same circuit, right? But since the license plate works, we know the issue is further downstream, correct?
2)How do I get the turn signal bulbs out. Do I have to pop the lens off? It looks like I'll break it. Additionally, in the rear he has some aftermarket signals; they're just generic, not LED or anything. But I can't figure out how those bulbs will come out either. I already tried unscrewing them from the bike but it doesn't seem like the bulbs can come out that way.
3) Where's a good place to get a service manual? Does anybody offer electronic versions?

Thanks for your help - looking forward to joining the community!

[Ddan]

Welcome to the funny farm   

One bulb failing shouldn't kill the circuit.  You're right that the taillight it is a 2 filament bulb.

The stock signals have a screw in the back to remove the lens.

Test the fuses for continuity, they can look good but still be toast.

The wiring under the seat for the tail light and signals is pretty sketchy, especially if the previous owner has been at it and possibly not done a good job.  Also check the flasher under the seat.

[Slide Panda]

So my questions really are:
1) Are the tail light and turn signals connected? They are on the same circuit, right? But since the license plate works, we know the issue is further downstream, correct?
2)How do I get the turn signal bulbs out. Do I have to pop the lens off? It looks like I'll break it. Additionally, in the rear he has some aftermarket signals; they're just generic, not LED or anything. But I can't figure out how those bulbs will come out either. I already tried unscrewing them from the bike but it doesn't seem like the bulbs can come out that way.
3) Where's a good place to get a service manual? Does anybody offer electronic versions?

Thanks for your help - looking forward to joining the community!

1) Diagram!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31794057@N08/5974525358/#sizes/o/in/photostream/
2) If the are the stock signals, there's a small philips head screw on the back side that needs to be removed. The lens clips in on one side and the other is retained by said screw.
3) manuals! http://www.duc.nu/manuals/

[Andrman]

Dan and Sad Panda - thank you!

Made some progress today. One step forward and two steps back.

The tail light was just the bulb - fixed that.

The turn signals was maybe the bulbs, so I replaced those but also needed a new flasher. I installed the new flasher, tested out the lights, yay, then went to start the bike. No go. After a day of troubleshooting it's been towed to the shop.

If anyone's interested, the motor would turn on it's own but not start. Using a jump it would start all the way, but then die quickly thereafter. The battery reads 12V across the terminals. The fact that it doesn't start after installing the new signal flasher is highly odd, but I'm not sure it's related. The starting then dying makes me think it's fuel delivery. We will see. Anyway, thanks again.