Brake Light Not Lighting Up

By Dennis Santopietro

Question Having problems with a 1992 FLTHCU. The signal lights are intermittent and brake light is not lighting up. Any suggestions? I have changed all the bulbs.


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Answer Get out your test light. You will need to chase some wiring. The signals & brake lights would be 2 separate issues on your make & model. For brake light. Remove your taillight lens. Use your test light to verify that only one contact has voltage (running light) with ignition switch turned on. If both contacts have voltage; one if your brake switches is stuck on. This might make it seem as if you have no brake light because the light does not get brighter when applying brake pressure. Inspect your taillight harness and taillight assembly. Make sure the harness is intact. Otherwise, start testing at your brake switches, front & rear. Test to verify voltage. Test your way from the switch and out. Pin point where, switched, voltage is lost. For the signal issue; you may have a week connection or ground if they work intermittently. Start testing at the signal housings and work your way toward your turn signal module. Your service manual has a map of your wiring harness. It can be a good reference.



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8 Responses to “Brake Light Not Lighting Up”

  1. JOHN

    2015 Fat Boy Lo, my rear riding lights do not work. Rear turn signals, brake lights and flashers work. Front driving lights work fine. I have replaced the bulbs and ordered a new tail light circuit board. Any thoughts?

  2. Lorrie Hastings

    <strong> Ticket 18054 I have a 2005 Heritage Softail and the brake light doesn't come on. Changed the bulb, fuses good, installed new brake light switch and still nothing. Pulled the tail lamp 4-pin multilock connector and jumped across the terminals in the base with a test light. The brake light came on. Would that indicate I need to replace the entire circuit board?

  3. buddy lee

    i have 85 flht and if the throttle grip housing isnt touching the turn signal housing the brake light doesnt light up some kind of ground connection.. its always a ground problem

  4. JAMES

    When I put tester on wires from rear brake light switch the tester light comes on with switch off

  5. In The Shop: Brake Switch Failure | Fix My Hog

    [&#8230;] Related Videos: How to Replace Brake Light Switch on a Harley How to Test a Harley Brake Light Switch How to Diagnose a Motorcycle Brake Light Switch Harley Brake Switch Diagnosis Via Manual If you update your bars and housing, please watch this video series in full: Handlebars 101 Post: Brake Light Not Lighting Up [&#8230;]

  6. Tomas

    Having issues with my '07 HD Electra Glide Classic. Purchased LED tail light and replacement bulbs for rear signals. Issue one: Tail light will not illuminate brighter when breaks are applied. Issue two: the socket/pigtails on rear signals are single filament and they had dual filament bulbs inserted. Is this a mistake. The single filament bulbs I picked up from the part store get stuck and I barely got them out. Now the rear signals don't come on.

  7. Doak McCraney

    I have a 2006 flhtpi starting last year no brake lights replaced rear brake switch ..within two weeks no brake lights mechanic who replaced switch stated faulty replaced switch again..within a month no brake lights this time intermitment sometimes ..this year determined after disconnect rear brake switch that front brake apply light work s . lights stuck on.Replaced rear brake switch again ..FYI bike has led tail brake lights ..is there another possible failure going on here have never before had a brake switch go never mind three

  8. Jim Shinholt

    I have a 2007 FLHTCU and the shift lever shaft is stripped out. Do you have to remove the primary case to get the shaft out or can I cut the shaft out being careful not to cut into the case?