Tail chop performed, brake light doesn't work
Only wires not altered in the procedure and only one with problems. Tail light works fine but doesn't brighten when brakes applied, either by pedal or lever. When I switch the hot leads on the light it is brighter. Possibly a bad relay? There is obviously power coming from the regular tail lead but apparently not the brake lead. Any other suggestions? Fuses fine. Bulb replaced.
Motorcycles - Ducati - Monster 750 i.e - 2002 Ducati Monster 750 i.e.
Answers & Comments
Hi,
Offhand, in most bikes, the tailight and the brake light are integrated in a single bulb with a common ground. This would translate then into a 3wire arrangement. The brighter of the filaments is for the brake while the dimmer of the two is for the park/running/tail light. To my knowledge, either the tail or brake lights do not use a relay, they are wired straightforward. Your described problem all points to a mis-connection, possibly the ground wire. The easiest approach would be to identify the ground wire. With ignition switch off, all light switches off, identify the ground wire with the use of a continuity tester (VOM/DVM). Disconnect the wires to the harness, on the harness, it would be the wire with nearly 0 resistance against any exposed metal or the chassis. On the wires going to the tailight assy, it wold be the wire that measures 0 ohms to the metal socket/housing of the bulb.
Just a start, do postback how things turned up or should you need additional information. Good luck and Thank you for using FixYa.