Why does my tail light stay on?

Solitary · Aug 2, 2006

So I've noticed that sometimes (not all of the time) my tail light stays on after I turn my bike off. It doesn't seem to matter which of the "off" positions the key is in, and they stay on after I take the key out and walk away. I think it's just tail lights (and not brake lights), but I wouldn't swear to it.

Putting the key back in and turning it on and then off again seems to resolve the problem, I just really don't want to have to walk around and check my lights every time I get off the bike.

As far as I know it's a completely unmodified tail light, though I can't vouch for any mods that a previous owner may have installed and then removed. Maybe this is just a "feature" I don't know about, but I thought I'd ask before tearing into it myself.

Any suggestions?

.336 · Aug 2, 2006

Check your ignition, after "LOCK" there's another position named "PARK" or something like that. When it's in that position the tail lights stay on.

Solitary · Aug 2, 2006

.336 said:
Check your ignition, after "LOCK" there's another position named "PARK" or something like that. When it's in that position the tail lights stay on.

That was my first thought, too. But like I said, it doesn't seem to matter what position the key is in. Then I thought I might have a faulty brake sensor, but that wouldn't explain why the light stays on when the bike is totally off.

On the bright side, the LED taillights apparently don't use much current, because my bike stayed parked overnight with them on and it still started right up in the morning.

Dravven · Aug 2, 2006

Well if your ignition switch is shorting out, it may think it is in park, even though it is not.

Ranger · Aug 3, 2006

Also check the brake actuator nut behind your right foot. If the nut is too far down, closer to the lever, it will be on full time and if it is too far up, it won't activate, real quick check should rule this a yes or no.

Dwayne · Aug 3, 2006

I might be wrong, but I thought with the ignition off and the key out the brake lights don't activate when you apply the brakes. ???

Why does my tail light stay on?

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