Running lights on but brake lights not.... Help

[medicineman843]

I noticed on the way home that my running light are working, but when i tap the brakes the lights don't light up at all. Running lights on the whole time. I checked the fuses under the air filter cover. They were fine. Also trying to find the other fuse box. Wondering if bulbs are about outta juice. What type of bulbs are they? How do i change the bulbs? I don't wanna pull to hard on them.

 

[gamorg02]

should be able to unscrew the lens and if i remember correctly they pushdown and turn to pop out. not sure what kind offhand tho.

 

[[email protected]]

Fuse has to be good, otherwise you wouldn't have running lights. Only one "fuse box" on the max. There is a single 30A main fuse that is right above the battery on the left. If its shot, nothing will work. (unless you have SERIOUS issues)

My guess would be bad bulbs or possibly a bad brake switch. Check to see if the brake lights come on with either front brake or rear brake. If it doesn't come on with either then its most likely the bulb.

Like Garrett said, just remove the tail light cover and you will see the bulb. Push in, turn a quarter of a turn counter clockwise, and pull out. Check for any corrosion in the socket.

Also, you can check the connection under the seat to the tail light. There are a bunch of wires in there for the turn signals and for the tail light. The tail light has 3 wires. Two positives (one for running light, one for brake light) and one ground. Can't remeber 100% but I believe the tail light positive wires are yellow and blue. One will be hot all the time (running light) and one will only be hot when the brakes are being used (brake light)

Brake light switches are easy to test. Disconnect the wires to the switch put you meter on ohms, hit the brakes and check continuity. If you have continuity, it works. If you have 0.0, it doesn't

 

[medicineman843]

Awesome. I'm glad to hear that. One of the bulbs looked burnt out. Just bought 2 1157 LED spinner bulbs. Wanted to try them out. How do i get the seat off?

 

[Rakkasan1]

MIke,does your answer also apply if I'm running a UFO LED rear light? mine's doing that,too. running light and brake light look the same brightness

 

[[email protected]]

Im not familiar with the ufo tail light. Im not sure if it has separate leds for running and brake lights. Either way, you can start under the seat and check for power on the oem wires. That will tell you which direction to head.

 

[95spfldmax]

Fuse has to be good, otherwise you wouldn't have running lights. Only one "fuse box" on the max. There is a single 30A main fuse that is right above the battery on the left. If its shot, nothing will work. (unless you have SERIOUS issues)

My guess would be bad bulbs or possibly a bad brake switch. Check to see if the brake lights come on with either front brake or rear brake. If it doesn't come on with either then its most likely the bulb.

Like Garrett said, just remove the tail light cover and you will see the bulb. Push in, turn a quarter of a turn counter clockwise, and pull out. Check for any corrosion in the socket.

Also, you can check the connection under the seat to the tail light. There are a bunch of wires in there for the turn signals and for the tail light. The tail light has 3 wires. Two positives (one for running light, one for brake light) and one ground. Can't remeber 100% but I believe the tail light positive wires are yellow and blue. One will be hot all the time (running light) and one will only be hot when the brakes are being used (brake light)

Brake light switches are easy to test. Disconnect the wires to the switch put you meter on ohms, hit the brakes and check continuity. If you have continuity, it works. If you have 0.0, it doesn't

Mike, as usual you're all over this.............you da man!!

 

[shicks16]

I have also had it that the rear brake switch was stuck and the brake light was on all the time giving the illusion that I just had running lights. I disconnected the switch and rung it out with a meter like was suggested before and found it out.

 

[85vmax]

You also have a brake light adjustment switch by the pedal with a spring. I've adjusted it too tight and the brake light went permanently on......tool loose and the brake light will not come on......it has a lock nut that always come loose on mine and the adjustment moves.

 

[Redbone]

If either brake switch is found to be faulty you have another option than just replacing the switch(s); use a brake pressure switch. The brake pressure switch uses the brake system pressure to activate the light. You will need a 10mm x 1.25 pitch and they run around $20. Easy to install but it does involve opening the brake line connection so a rebleeding will be called for.
Here is a before and after on Redbone:

BEFORE: AFTER:

It really cleaned up the area around the footpeg, there is no messing around with adjustments and the pressure brake switch plugs into the factory wiring. You can get the pressure switches from Sean Morley too!
Here is a picture of one uninstalled.

 

[rollin thunder]

I have been having a fuse problem .I put leds on the turn signals on the rear and today the fuse went on the way to work .I had no turn signals ,horn ,tach brake light ,and neutral indicator, til i got home and replaced the 10amp fuse .Anyone know where I can get a heavy duty flasher for this problem .I have blown two fuses in two months.