Tail light inoperative, brake light works

[02gz250black]

:??: So this is my situation:

Brake light works when brake is pressed/squeezed. Tail light does not function. Also, rear turn signals do not illuminate as running lights, like the fronts do.

Fuse is good. Have replaced brake light bulb and tail light works for a short period of time, but quits. Have noticed that the last time the tail light quit working was after I went over a pretty rough bump.

Any ideas guys? Riding season is finally starting back up here in Alaska and I don't want to be sitting on the sidelines.

Brian

[patrick_777]

Check the electrical schematic near the back of the Service Manual, then start tracing back and looking for some loose wires. If a fuse isn't blown, that's a possibility. Also, check the bulbs. A blown or shorted bulb can cause some funky things to happen down the line, electrically speaking.

[bonehead]

My '08 doesnt have illuminated lights in the turn signals-they are just turn signals. Only light light on when driving is the tail light. I'd say you just have a bad bulb. But can't really tell, since you're there and I'm here.

[blaine]

REAR lights are siginal lights only, you only have park lights on the front.your brake-park blub is likley just blown from going over bad bump.

[Easy Rider]

Have replaced brake light bulb and tail light works for a short period of time, but quits. Have noticed that the last time the tail light quit working was after I went over a pretty rough bump.

Like others have said, the rear signals are signals ONLY.

Most likely cause of your problem is a dirty or corroded bulb socket.
Second choice, loose connector or broken wire.
Then there might be 2 bad bulbs in a row.

Get a flashlight and check that socket first.
WD40 makes a reasonably good cleaner.....but the excess then needs to be blown out/soaked up.

If it is not the socket or bulb, then you need to do some wire tracing. A multi-meter might help in that effort.

[02gz250black]

understood. I wasn't sure if the rear signals were always illuminated or if just the tail light was.

I was leaning towards a bad bulb, but wasn't sure. I will try replacing the bulb and if it happens again I can start tracing wires. I have a multi meter if need be.

Thanks for all the help!

Brian

[Easy Rider]

I will try replacing the bulb and if it happens again I can start tracing wires. I have a multi meter if need be.

You missed what might be the most important part......which is inspecting the socket for damage, corrosion, loss of spring tension, etc !! :biggrin:

[5th_bike]

The electric diagram is on p. 205 of the service manual. The tail light gets power via a brown wire from around the headlight, via two connectors it seems.

Good luck.

[02gz250black]

thanks easy. I did miss that part. I will be checking it out either tonight/tomorrow morning.

[02gz250black]

looks like the tail light is working for now. I did notice i was missing the rubber washer that goes around the outside of the socket assembly, and after I replaced that I found the socket to fit more firmly into the tail light assembly. Went riding yesterday, 30degree weather, and hit a few bumps but tail light is still working.

Thanks again for the help guys!

Brian