Triumphrat

ta3one · 10-25-2009, 12:55 PM

I've had some luggage rack problems (broken sub-frame) so the luggage rack has been hanging out directly on the tail for about 1000 miles on a ride from Chicago. I took off the tail light assembly more than once. I replaced the bulbs recently, too. Now I have no running lights. The brake light works just fine, but neither of the 2 bulbs lights up when the bike is on.

Any suggestions? I checked the fuses and all the wiring seems to be tight. Perhaps I should take the tail assembly and put it back on. I wanted to ride to Manhattan this afternoon, but I'm too scared without the tail light.

Thanks in advance.

KitNYC · 10-25-2009, 05:46 PM

Do you have the correct dual-filament bulbs installed? Installed correctly? Do the bulbs test good for continuity across both filaments?

It's been my experience that this problem is almost always bulbs, but if it's not are all 3 wires plugged in at the rear of the taillight assembly, under the tail section?

If none of the above gets it, it sounds like a broken wire.

Cheers,
-Kit

ta3one · 10-25-2009, 09:51 PM

It's not the bulbs. They work, if I mess around with the 3 wires that go from the bike. It's the blue wire. I opened my user manual and apparently there's another 5w fuse somewhere on the left seat mount. Kit, can you point me in the right direction? Otherwise I'll have to bypass the wire altogether. *not* safe on the highway at night.

Thanks

KitNYC · 10-25-2009, 11:41 PM

Sorry, man, all I got is inspect the wire for breakage... I seem to recall that the taillight unit can be opened, maybe there are solder joints there to check? Contact cleaner where the wires plug in?

Maybe somebody else has an idea?

Cheers,
-Kit

ta3one · 10-26-2009, 01:04 AM

If the wire broke it would have to be somewhere inside the bike. The light works if I switch to brake light for example ... I'll take another look during daylight tomorrow.

KitNYC · 10-26-2009, 03:09 AM

Is it possible you hooked up the wiring wrong at some point? The diagram I see here says the blue wire (Blue/Red, actually) is the brake light wire. I see what you mean about the fuse; apparently, it should have its own inline fuse.

Anyway, Blue/Red should go to the brake light, Black/Yellow is ground, and Red/Slate (Really? Slate?) is hot for the taillight.

I'm a little foggy, and 2000 miles away from my T3 taillight, but is it possible to get those bulbs in 180º off? I remember there was something funky about the whole dual-element thing, but I don't remember what it was.

Cheers,
-Kit

faffi · 10-26-2009, 06:24 AM

Spend ten bucks on a multimeter and test for continuity. All you probably have to do, is to fit a new wire from the light to the wiring harness.

ta3one · 10-26-2009, 07:16 AM

The whole having a light on the end of the wire that should go on should serve as a multimeter, no?

I'm not sure which wire it is, I don't remember, but if I swap them out, it should work (and it does, except the wrong light is on)

I'm going to look for the inline fuse, if I don't find it, I'll bridge the connection from the fusebox (instead of going to the main harness under the tank somewhere ... temporarily. I'm getting HIDs put in by a professional and I'm sure he'll figure this problem out as well.

faffi · 10-26-2009, 08:45 AM

The rear lights run on the same fuse as the front parking light IIRC

I think I misread your first explanation about how you switched the wires, but if the same positive source can light up both the rear light and the brake light depending on where you hook it up, yes, that will make sure the wires going to the light unit is OK.

ta3one · 10-26-2009, 08:34 PM

I found the in-line fuse. It was fine. I'm really bummed out now, because it must be one of the long wires that goes under the tank. Any ideas on temporary measures before I get around to taking the whole thing apart?