LED Tailight Trouble (Left Only)

[richards6402]

I have a 2007 K-9 and I have had trouble with my left tailight staying on for weeks and then all of a sudden I hit a big road bump, etc. and it either goes dim or goes out all together. I then remove it and re-install it and push around on it and after a few tries it will come on full power. I have attempted several searches and have found nothing.

I have wiggled the connection but it does not seem to do any good. Do I need a new LED board?

I am getting tired of leaving the house with it on and then someone telling me my tailight is out. I do not want any cop hassling me over the light although I have nothing to hide.

Also...do any of you have any great ideas on replacing these LED lights with something better? I have searched this topic and found just a few ideas.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Eric]

possible solider joint in the board or lose or broken wire in the harness.. can you reproduce the issue with the bike sitting still? if so use a test light & check the wire harness.. then try the led board..

 

[Chris04Masitff]

u said urs is goin out... have you seen that for yourself?. for years ive had people tell me left light was out,but always was workin when i looked at it. turns out yesterday i figured out, if person following me was on left of bike , they couldnt see the light. adjusted light upwards and now everyone can see it. somehow the angle of led was affecting visibilty.just thought it was ironic you mention the same scenario ...

 

[RADAMS445]

Corroded leads are very common due to condensation. Dielectric grease helps keep the contacts clean.:2thumbs:

 

[mobsta]

Could be a pin in the connector,they do break.Sounds like maybe the ground.Try wiggle the wires at the connector instead of the connector.just my 2cents which is prolly worth 1cent.:lol:Could be bad led too.you can switch them side to side and see if the problem changes sides.

 

[BigDogBro1]

When you say it goes DIM what exactly are you saying. Is it dimmer than a normal taillight intensity or what? When the light goes out DOES the brake light still work? At the LEFT rear light, the BLACK wire is GROUND, Violet is TURN and RED is TAILLIGHT wire. If the TAIL and TURN lights both stop working then probably the BLACK ground is at fault. If the TURN still works then it may be the RED tail wire path connection. Sounds like all the LEDs are dimming together, Am I RIGHT? Because these LEDs are very high intensity, they have a small viewing cone angle of around 15 degrees and if your tailights are not at the same pitch angle then one may look dimmer than the other. Loosen a tailight and change the mounting pitch to match the other side.

Clean the connections using a RadioShack spray contact cleaner & lube (cover all painted surfaces). And place some dielectric grease on the contact pins to help seal them from outside contamination.

It is defintely a poor connection and could be the SOLDER connection on the taillight circuit board for the harness connector. A bad connection will cause LESS electrical current flow to the LEDs can cause the lower intensity. RESOLDER (DO NOT USE ACID CORE SOLDER) the board connection and check the connector wires and the connector crimps. Otherwise you will have to continue UP-STREAM in the harness to locate the problem. There is another connector and harness under the seat above the rear fender that feeds the the rear lights. My "07" Bulldog harness runs throught the fender strut, not sure on the K9.

LED lights are the BEST way to go nowadays. Don't wash with hard spray at signal light lens, the lenses are not waterproof sealed or the hand controls, harness connections, plate light, speedo head, head light or under gas tank backbone area.

 

[richards6402]

Yes Eric I have seen it in motion and sitting still. Am going to check the solder connections. Thanks for your reply.

 

[richards6402]

Thanks to all of you for your help. Yes, we have looked at it from light level. I know what you mean by looking at it from an angle.

BigDogBro1...yes it is dimmer than when it works normally. It shows three different ways: normal, dim and nothing!

I am going to work on all of these possibilities. Thanks again to all of you replying.

 

[BigDogBro1]

So Richards6402, what's the results?

 

[RuDawg]

Could be a pin in the connector,they do break.Sounds like maybe the ground.Try wiggle the wires at the connector instead of the connector.just my 2cents which is prolly worth 1cent.:lol:Could be bad led too.you can switch them side to side and see if the problem changes sides.

X2

 

[280 40 R20]

Same issue here. Blinker works, brake light works, but running light doesn't. I've switched out both sides so I know it's not the issue. Have you figured out the problem?

 

[280 40 R20]

Same issue here. Blinker works, brake light works, but running light doesn't. I've switched out both sides so I know the led panel is not the issue. Have you figured out the problem?

 

[mjsk9]

Most responders on this post have not been on the forum since 2010 and 2011.....

 

[Mr. Wright]

Same issue here. Blinker works, brake light works, but running light doesn't. I've switched out both sides so I know it's not the issue. Have you figured out the problem?

There is a plug under the seat, at the fender. Check your power there , clean it, and grease it. I've seen the wires break at that plug before.

 

[280 40 R20]

There is a plug under the seat, at the fender. Check your power there , clean it, and grease it. I've seen the wires break at that plug before.

Thanks. BTW I still need the tank paint saver for a 08 pitbull

 

[Mr. Wright]

Thanks. BTW I still need the tank paint saver for a 08 pitbull

You have my number? Give me a call.

 

[280 40 R20]

I

You have my number? Give me a call.

I'll check if I do. If you get this go ahead and give it to me again. Might as well put that in while I'm tracing this electrical issue

 

[Mr. Wright]

Fiveseventhree twoforseven threefivezoroeight

 

[280 40 R20]

Plug was loose. Solved the problem. Thanks. Ill be giving you a call soon. Anyone out there selling a 08 pitbull seat? I'd like a one up but a solo would be doable

 

[Th3InfamousI]

Plug was loose. Solved the problem. Thanks. Ill be giving you a call soon. Anyone out there selling a 08 pitbull seat? I'd like a one up but a solo would be doable

DANNY GRAY FOR BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES DROP SOLO SEAT 2008-11 PITBULL -OPTIONAL LOWER SEAT

BRAND NEW FITMENT FOR BIG DOG DANNY GRAY "DROP" SOLO SEAT FOR 2008-11 PITBULL MODELS. PART# 232-000060. THIS IS THE ALTERNATE SEAT FOR RIDERS WHO WANT TO SIT LOWER THAN THE "SPRING SEAT". Our seats are all manufactured by the original supplier of Big Dog Motorcycles seats from 2001-2011. They...

www.bigdogpartskingpin.com

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk