Tail light - only one bulb for constant on?

Hey all,

I recently had taken my tail light off of my bike for reasons I won't go into (nothing to do with the electrical) and when I put it back on I noticed that only one bulb is on. I originally thought a bulb had gone out but noticed that when I step on the brake both lights come on. Am I crazy? Has it always been this way and I never noticed? Did I mess something up when I took off or put the light back on? Please help!

Dave

 

Each taillight bulb has two filaments (the wires inside that glow): one for taillight (always on) one for brake light. The brake light filament of one bulb could be burnt out. If you swap the bulbs and the problem moves with them, it's the bulb; otherwise it's a wire or a connector and you'll need to get out your voltmeter to find it.

HTH - Paul in MI

 

Thanks Paul,

I was afraid of that. I originally swapped them and the problem did not move with the bulb. That is what was making me think (or hope) maybe this was standard and I had just never noticed it before. I guess I didn't get that lucky.

Thanks again,

Dave

 

new bulb, easy fix

 

Its not the bulb. Problem stayed on the same side (i.e. - switched bulbs) after I exchanged the right and left bulbs.

 

yeah, check the wiring. That sucks. electrical gremlins ate my grandmother.

 

Did you fix it? Was the brake switch stuck on?