SuzukiSavage.com - Brake Light

Latimer

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Brake Light
09/30/08 at 11:42:13

So I was driving last night and a cop pulled me over warning me that my tail light was only turning on when I brake. I thought that was strange so after he pulled away I hopped off the bike... turned it on and noticed the tail light was on, then as soon as I tapped the rear brake it turned off. From then on it would only turn on when I would engage the rear brake.

Is this what its supposed to do? Sorry if this seems like a really stupid question, I just really dont spend any time looking at the back of my bike. If this isnt what its supposed to do anyone have any ideas? Maybe a loose connection?

Thanks for the help....

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newrider55 YaBB Newbies Offline New rider and loving it. Posts: 45 Climax, MI Gender:	Re: Brake Light Reply #1 - 09/30/08 at 12:01:20 I had something simular happen with a turn signal..seems the end of the bulb had worn down a bit. I just used a new bulb and no problem since. Might also check for corrosion in the light socket.
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youzguyz Serious Thumper Offline Posts: 2538 San Antonio, Texas Gender:	Re: Brake Light Reply #2 - 09/30/08 at 12:01:27 Your "tail light" was never on. The light bulb in there is dual filament, one for tail light, one for brake light. Odds are the one for the tail light is burned out. Change the bulb
Back to top	2002 - Silver (Thumper) 2000 - Green (Mad Hamish) Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut between the seat and the handlebars. Make sure yours isn't too tight or too loose. IP Logged

sidny4 YaBB Newbies Offline Thumping since May 2008 Posts: 35 Fargo, ND Gender:	Re: Brake Light Reply #3 - 09/30/08 at 14:22:35 exactly what youzguyz said. Shouldn't be too hard to replace the bulb, nor too expensive. Take the old one out and go to your local auto parts dealer (carquest, napa, checker, etc.) and they should have the replacement on hand.
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Latimer Junior Member Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 81 Boston Gender:	Re: Brake Light Reply #4 - 09/30/08 at 16:22:24 sounds good. Thanks guys.... Told you it might have been a stupid question!
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Educatedredneck Senior Member Alliance Member Offline Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. Posts: 458 Hampstead, Maryland Gender:	Re: Brake Light Reply #5 - 09/30/08 at 22:08:15 There is no such thing as a stupid question. This is how we all learn.
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youzguyz

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San Antonio, Texas
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Re: Brake Light
Reply #6 - 10/01/08 at 02:26:50

Educatedredneck wrote on 09/30/08 at 22:08:15:

There is no such thing as a stupid question. This is how we all learn.

Must beg to differ. There are 2 stupid questions.
1. The one you don't ask.
2. The one you ask more than once.

I am such a hard a$$.. Grin

The only thing that bothers me about the original post is he tapped the brake and the light went off. Might have a sticky rear brake switch too.

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2002 - Silver (Thumper)
2000 - Green (Mad Hamish)
Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut between the seat and the handlebars. Make sure yours isn't too tight or too loose.

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Latimer Junior Member Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 81 Boston Gender:	Re: Brake Light Reply #7 - 10/01/08 at 15:03:39 Well just went and got a new bulb from Pep Boys. They didnt have the 2397 in stock so I got a 2057 dual filament (guy there said it should work).... Swapped it out and its still doing the same thing. Except it never lights now unless either brake is engaged. Anyone have any idea where I should start?
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EssForty Senior Member Offline Sunshine, Surf & Suzuki Posts: 382 Melbourne, FL Gender:	Re: Brake Light Reply #8 - 10/01/08 at 15:46:36 Those lamps are interchangeable, so the problem is not the lamp itself if you installed it correctly. Do you have a voltmeter or 12 v continuity checker? Do you have a Clymers manual? Are you familiar with how to check low voltage circuits?
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Demin Serious Thumper Offline We need more chlorine in the gene pool Posts: 2435 Warren,Ohio Gender:	Re: Brake Light Reply #9 - 10/01/08 at 15:53:47 Take the seat(s)off,and check the connections.I'm thinkin' it's a brown wire for tail,and blue with a yellow tracer(??? not sure)for brake.But anyhoo check any/all connections from tank to were the wires go through fender.
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Yonuh Adisi FSO Serious Thumper Offline Savage Jedi (Knight) Posts: 3622 Pilot Valley NV, aka Tatooine Gender:	Re: Brake Light Reply #10 - 10/01/08 at 16:14:28 I just had a problem with one of my turn signals. I took off the seat and one of the wires had disconnected, plugged it back in and now it's fine. So like Demin said, check wiring connections.
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T Mack 1 - FSO Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline sold 2001 LS650 for a 1986 XLH1100 Posts: 2919 Emmaus,Pa Gender:	Re: Brake Light Reply #11 - 10/01/08 at 19:11:49 Also check out the ground wire(s).....
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Latimer

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Re: Brake Light
Reply #12 - 10/02/08 at 05:56:16

My mechanic buddy has a voltmeter, so we will check that out this weekend. I also imagine I could have knocked a wire loose while mounting/dismounting the fuel tank.... I get pretty foreceful with that thing sometimes. But I havent actually taken the tank off since the beginning of the summer. I guess its possible I could have been riding without a taillight all summer.

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justin_o_guy2

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What happened?

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East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.

Re: Brake Light
Reply #13 - 10/03/08 at 21:20:35

Checking the tail light & brake & sigs is too easy to not do it. YOu can do it in the driveway, or, if you are just TOOO lazy to get off the bike, you can back into a parking space at a glass faced store. AutoZone has loads of glass. Look back( If you are too lazy for THIS, use the mirror) Hit the switches & squeeze the lever & step on the pedal, If you are too lazy for THIS,, go home, get on the couch & never get up..

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Latimer Junior Member Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 81 Boston Gender:	Re: Brake Light Reply #14 - 10/04/08 at 13:50:18 Figured it out... was a loose connection under the seat. Thanks for the help guys. Thanks for the advice Justin.... I think....
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