Rear running light not working and I need a wiring diagram for a 1984 vf700

The bike is a 1984 vf700f. I have a "tail light" indicator light on my console that's lit. My tail light doesn't come on with the key in and turned. The bike isn't running when I'm checking this, the key is just engaged. I don't know if the bike has to be running for the tail light to come on. Do the tail lights on these bikes stay lit all the time, like a running light. If they do then mine does not. When I hit the brakes the tail light comes on though. Anybody have any ideas? Also, i wiring diagram would save me much frustration if anyone could email me one.

 

I would start by taken bulb out and seeing if the filament is burned out check the fuses they are around key slot and check wiring under the rear cowl.
and yes they do have a rear tail that should come on when key is turned on.:cheersaf:

 

lights DO come on with the key on, but as suggested ,check for a burnt out filament before assuming worst case scenario. I've had this all too many times, ad its usually a blown filament.

 

cool deal thanks guys. I forgot to check the fuse. Slipped my mind I guess.

 

Fuse is an unlikely suspect unless naughty rodents have nibbled some wires and caused a short to ground.

Just recently i was riding my '86 700, and suddenly the instrument lights and tail light blinked off. Fix was to identify which plug sent power there, pull it apart, clean male contacts with sandpaper, replug. Problem solved.

 

In this case it did end up being the fuse. I hope there's not another problem that made it the fuse blow.

Thanks again.

 

I'm having a similar issue, it's not the filament or the fuse though. The tail light indicator is on when I turn the key on, and the brake light works, the tail light just wont come on. I can't for the life of me figure it out and the clymer has nothing on it.