rear indicator lights

[coldpie]

So I was planning on putting on a fender eliminator kit this week and have just noticed that the rear indicator lights don't seem to be lit anymore. I was sure they were on all the time a week ago. Am I crazy? If not how do I fix it? Any help would be amazing

 

[richierich781]

I dont think the rear indicator lights are running lights, I was thinking the same thing when I put my fender eliminator on.

 

[coldpie]

Thanks,I had swore they were on before,I know the fronts are all the time, but I could believe they don't if more then just me have that

 

[Sage]

rear are just turn signals, they don't stay on as running lights.

 

[Nastybutler]

That's what your tail light is for. Running lights in the rear would be redundant. The stock rear indicators are only turn signals. You're good.

 

[Gixerhp]

Only the fronts are running lights, Not the rears!

 

[buzzbomb]

I've often wondered why the rear signals are not running lights. How can more visibility hurt? Are there some states, where having the rear signals as marker lights is illegal? I honestly don't get it.

I've been toying with the idea of doing some rewiring, to make them running lights. Not knowing the reason they aren't, from the factory, has held me back.

 

[txjames]

Very glad for this thread, as I'm putting the bike back together after track day (I removed signals) and was wondering why the rear's weren't working once reconnected. (They signal properly). Now I know they aren't supposed to come on.

On the down side, there does seem to be an issue on one side. Both are lit but blinking fast.

Brake light works, but tail light does not. License plate light is lit.

Edit:

Update...

Okay... it's the bulb.

Since I can't get a replacement until tomorrow, wondering if the left side signals fast-blink is telling me the tail light is out? Both signals are working (front and rear both sides). Right side blinks normal.

 

[HillCountryRider]

Very glad for this thread, as I'm putting the bike back together after track day (I removed signals) and was wondering why the rear's weren't working once reconnected. (They signal properly). Now I know they aren't supposed to come on.

On the down side, there does seem to be an issue on one side. Both are lit but blinking fast.

Brake light works, but tail light does not. License plate light is lit.

Edit:

Update...

Okay... it's the bulb.

Since I can't get a replacement until tomorrow, wondering if the left side signals fast-blink is telling me the tail light is out? Both signals are working (front and rear both sides). Right side blinks normal.

Left side could be blinking fast IF you have a smaller wattage bulb in there then required, make sure it's an 18W bulb....

 

[txjames]

Left side could be blinking fast IF you have a smaller wattage bulb in there then required, make sure it's an 18W bulb....

Do you mean the blinker or tail light?

Update again - I picked up a replacement bulb for the tail and the tail light is working now of course, however the left side blinker is still in fast flash.

The replacement bulb is the same as the stock bulb (21/5).

I think I'll try swapping the front signals and see if the fast-blink follows. Any other ideas?

 

[HillCountryRider]

Do you mean the blinker or tail light?

Update again - I picked up a replacement bulb for the tail and the tail light is working now of course, however the left side blinker is still in fast flash.

The replacement bulb is the same as the stock bulb (21/5).

I think I'll try swapping the front signals and see if the fast-blink follows. Any other ideas?

I was referring to the blinker. The flasher relay looks for impedence on the circuit, it the correct impedence isn't "felt" the flasher blinks faster. Swapping lights from L to R and seeing if the problem follows would be a great way. Let us know what you find!

 

[HillCountryRider]

Also, make sure the bike is running...

 

[Marthy]

My tail light let me down once and the tough of my only tail light letting me down got me worry. I swap my signal for signal/running LED. Add much more visibility from the back.

 

[txjames]

Do you mean the blinker or tail light?

Update again - I picked up a replacement bulb for the tail and the tail light is working now of course, however the left side blinker is still in fast flash.

The replacement bulb is the same as the stock bulb (21/5).

I think I'll try swapping the front signals and see if the fast-blink follows. Any other ideas?

Swapped the front blinkers (which I realized needed to be done... I had them flipped (screw was up). No change, left side still blinks fast.

Swapped the left/right rear wires, problem moved, right side now blinks fast. That rules OUT all bulbs and fixtures as being the problem, and means it is either the relay or wiring. Troubleshooting from here will either mean swapping wires at the relay or just changing out the relay. If I could find one to buy to see how much they are, it might help.

Model # FE246BH, PN 066500-4020

Still working... will post. In the mean time, check out this awful form from yesterday. I wasn't moving nearly as much as I thought I was.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/481913_10151079884142768_1308646577_n.jpg

 

[HillCountryRider]

I would put the wiring back and swap the rear bulbs. Still sounds like a bulb issue...

 

[txjames]

I would put the wiring back and swap the rear bulbs. Still sounds like a bulb issue...

Can't be... The rear swap rules out the bulbs when the front left an right rear fast-flashed. Has to be something from the left wiring harness to the relay, the relay, or wiring from the relay to the left front harness.

 

[txjames]

And Dang, I hijacked the heck out o this post. Sorry moderators.

 

[txjames]

Fixed... it was my error. The tab had broken off the front left jack which allowed the plug from the fixture to go easily in any direction. Apparently I was consistently putting it in rotated. I paid close attention the last time looking at it and put it in the right way. Glad, because I also called the dealership and the relay is $81. (Their cost is probably $3-10 max, by the way).

 

[HillCountryRider]

Glad it's fixed, thought it sounded like a bulb issue. Good job on deductive troubleshooting!

 

[txjames]

Glad it's fixed, thought it sounded like a bulb issue. Good job on deductive troubleshooting!

Thanks... I was an Electronics Technician in the Navy... hopefully I know how. A humbling experience that it was me putting the connector back on backwards, even when I flipped them I put the one on the left backwards, again because of the tab being broken. Round part goes where the tab goes for future reference.