Tail light inoperative, brake light works

02gz250black · 04-09-2010, 02:14 AM

:??: 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 · 04-09-2010, 03:24 AM

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 · 04-09-2010, 06:34 AM

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 · 04-09-2010, 07:57 AM

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 · 04-09-2010, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02gz250black

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 · 04-09-2010, 01:26 PM

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 · 04-09-2010, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02gz250black

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 · 04-09-2010, 09:40 PM

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 · 04-10-2010, 01:25 AM

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

02gz250black · 04-12-2010, 02:33 PM

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

04-09-2010, 02:14 AM	#1
02gz250black Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alaska Posts: 4	Tail light inoperative, brake light works :??: 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 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-09-2010, 03:24 AM	#2
patrick_777 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,763	Re: Tail light inoperative, brake light works 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. __________________ ]I am hiding in Honduras. I am a desperate man. Send lawyers, guns and money. The shit has hit the fan.
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04-09-2010, 06:34 AM	#3
bonehead Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: elgin,tx Posts: 907	Re: Tail light inoperative, brake light works 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. __________________ Standing with the PGR until they stand for me. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-09-2010, 07:57 AM	#4
blaine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: P.E.I. Canada Posts: 3,784	Re: Tail light inoperative, brake light works 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. __________________ If at first you do succeed, try not to look surprised.
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04-09-2010, 01:26 PM	#6
02gz250black Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alaska Posts: 4	Re: Tail light inoperative, brake light works 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
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04-09-2010, 09:40 PM	#8
5th_bike Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: HoCo, Maryland Posts: 1,349	Re: Tail light inoperative, brake light works 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. __________________ 2005 "Saturn Black", stock + tach
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04-10-2010, 01:25 AM	#9
02gz250black Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alaska Posts: 4	Re: Tail light inoperative, brake light works thanks easy. I did miss that part. I will be checking it out either tonight/tomorrow morning.
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04-12-2010, 02:33 PM	#10
02gz250black Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alaska Posts: 4	Re: Tail light inoperative, brake light works 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
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