TailLight troubleshooting

[spotsyman]

I'm trying to hook up light connection for my new trailer. I bought the adapter for the separate brake/turn signal lights. I found that the blue wire going to the running/brake light is for the brakes and the red is for the running. I was just about to wire the adapter when I discovered that the rear lights no longer work. OK I figured I must have blown a fuse when determining which wire was which with my meter. This was not the case and all connections and bulbs are good. What else could cause the lights to suddenly not work? The trunk light still works.

[doug of so fla]

Move the seat all the way forward and the trunk all the way back. Sitting on top of the fender behind the rear seat are the connections for the rear lights. See if you have power to the connectors by using a test light. All are out? I would think a relay or fuse or you pulled a connection loose. Some times fuses look ok but are not check with a new fuse. Maybe a broke wire in the harness between the ignition and the left side connector? ( if you still have ty-wrap on that harness, "VERY possible") or corrision in one of the main connectors. let us know what you find maybe someone can help with more info.. good luck..

[Lance McCaw]

I also had a light problem on my trunk. Actually the trunk isnt that hard to remove to get to that plug in. My problem was a relay under my fairing up front.

[spotsyman]

I thought it might be a relay. The bike has been parked since I started the project. I thought the lights came on when the ignition is turned on but I have to turn the engine over for a second to get the lights to come on. All work except the tail light (running/brake). They were working too when I started. My first inclination was a fuse. I checked and even though the brake fuse looked good I still changed it. I actually removed and replaced all the fuses.No help. I haven't moved the bike since I started but I did remove and replace the trunk. I agree it must be the relay. I have to find it. Is it on the right or left side of the fairing? I'm going to check the plug for juice before checking the relay.

[Lance McCaw]

If its the same relay as mine. The one I had trouble with is for my extra lights on the rear. Not the main taillight. But there was still 4 relays all there together just under the lower fairing on the left side. 4 screws and it come off.

[ekap1200]

Don't forget to check you ground wire also, while your under the trunk.
use your test light and hook it to the positive batt post and make sure you have B- at your bulb's shell. Since your having problems with both tail lamps and brake lamps. Gene K.

[spotsyman]

OK! Now I'm in trouble. The fuse is good. the bulbs are good. The relay is good. The bulb socket is getting ground. Any suggestions for my next course of action?

[bikerking.biz]

Did you check the large white connector that has caused many a failure from corrosion under the false tank? Check out the procedure in the tech center here: http://www.amervoyassoc.org/techtipsXII ... %20Problem" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[doug of so fla]

I will take another shot at guessing at it. Did you check ALL items in my first reply? WE need all the info we can get from you. Do you have power to the rear or just at the front? If you had lights before you let XII sit for a period, a good guess is corrision. Did you check large white connector on left side front of XII. Most common cause of failure. Also under fuse block. Also a very obvious cause is when your battery is low, it will shut down certain lighting circuts so XII stays running. Check load of battery and if alternator is charging. The best known reliable source of trouble shooting this type of problem is having some one walk you thru the trouble shooting process, one who knows the XII better than any one..Carl!!! give him a call. Electrical is awful hard to do on the msg board or e-mail... Carl # 386-898-7659.

[cushman eagle]

Did you check the ignition switch wiring harness as doug suggested? As he mentioned, many of those were tied too tight at the steering head and broke the wires.I rewired mine a year ago due to wire failure and made it an inch longer,tying it several inches from the steering head to prevent another failure.I hope you get it repaired soon.

[richardb, austin]

Did you check the ignition switch wiring harness as doug suggested? As he mentioned, many of those were tied too tight at the steering head and broke the wires.I rewired mine a year ago due to wire failure and made it an inch longer,tying it several inches from the steering head to prevent another failure.I hope you get it repaired soon.

^^^this was my problem. I note that (including mine) there are at least 3 threads on tail light problems recently. The Gremlins are here!!

[spotsyman]

Doug Divine suggested I get in touch with Carl Leo in Florida and he walked me through troubleshooting the problem. Long story short, after eliminating the big white 10 wire connection coming off the fuse box by soldering all those wires together (not a wasted effort as Carl told me eventually it could become a problem) and checking for continuity from the ignition switch, I rechecked the fuses through the exposed metal on top of the fuses for current while still installed and found the IGN fuse faulty. The crazy part was that I checked all the fuses for continuity earlier and they all were good. Apparently the fuse had just enough connection to register good sometimes and bad other times. I could wiggle it around and the lights would flash on and off. After replacing it everything is good. Crazy problem. I can't thank you all enough for your help and concern. Carl is THE man when it comes to these machines