| Author | Message | ||
     Gomo |
Looking for some help. Seems that the taillight on my '99 S3T is out of whack. It is bright to the point, that when I hit the brake lever (either one) you can hardly notice any change. Perhaps a little brighter on the license plate. It is way to bright, almost as if the Tail/Brake lights were switched. Recent work done by dealer: Rebuild of alternator/stator Had dealer check out light problem - their answer was alternator is working as spec'd. Needless to say they didn't even look at the light to see that it was not working correct. I am now heading to a different dealer, hopefully with better results. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions where/what to check? Thanks for any info GOMO AMA/BRAG/HOG/I.O.O./C.M.C. | ||
| Awprior |
Gomo, It's a dual element bulb, it's possible that one of the filaments is burning out. Try replacing the bulb yet? Alex | ||
| Gomo |
Yes, that was one step I did forget to include. The S3 has 2 tail bulbs, and I did replace both. | ||
| Ara |
Gomo, with the brakes off how many elements in each bulb are lit? You'll probably have to remove the cover to be sure. If one element in each bulb is lit with the brakes off, both elements in each bulb are lit with the brakes on, and there's little brightness difference between brakes on and brakes off, then the wires to the bulb elements are reversed. In other words, you're running brake lights with the brakes off and when the brakes are on you're only getting the little additional light provided by the tail light elements. Make sense? Russ | ||
| Imonabuss |
Are you sure that somehow one of your brake light switches isn't stuck on? Don't know if this is applicable to an S3 (since I don't have one), but I had an issue like this on one of my bikes after a lever adjustment. I hadn't readjusted the switch, therefore my brake light was on all the time. Even if you didn't adjust it, maybe it got bumped or bent? | ||
| Rick_A |
I changed a taillight on my S1...and got the bulb from an automotive store. The contacts on the bulb were opposite from the stock bulb so it was neccessary to switch the connections as Ara mentioned. | ||
| Sonomacyclone |
i had a similar situation w/ my '99 m2. turned out that the bulb will fit into the socket either way. pulled the bulb and put it back w/ the poles reversed - problem solved. | ||
| Fuscat |
Hey guys. It's been a real long time since I have been around lots of life changes gone on in the last couple of years. Good to see the Buellers are still out in force!  I am having a problem brake light problem on my '97 S1 Lightning and I am wondering if anyone has any insight. Moving to a state that requires an inspection made me realize that my brake light is not working when I apply the front brakes. Works fine for the back brake but either doesn't work or will flash on then back off again real fast regardless of the pressure applied. This is really driving me crazy. I have replaced the bulb. Same problem. I took the activation switch out of the hand controls and cleaned it up sprayed it out with canned air put it back and it is still doing it! Any thoughts? The dealership wants an outragous amount of money to even look at it not too mention they told me it would have to sit for a few days to get to it. This should be easy to fix. I can't figure it out. I asked if they could just get me the switch and they said "very unlikely"  Any thoughts? Thanks for the help! By the way anything going on in the KC area? I see we still don't have Brag chapter yet :/ | ||
| Henrik |
Fuscat; you should put a multimeter on the switch and make sure it works. I've had one of the crimped-on connectors that connect to the switch go bad. Just replace the connector. You can check the wiring up front by shorting the two connectors or just the bare wiring. I've also heard of the taillight sockets getting corroded and causing problems. A bit of steel wool and dielectric grease will do the job. Hope this helps. Keep us posted on your results. Henrik | ||
| Kcbill |
Welcome back Fuscat. This is kcbill. I am setting up a Brag chapter now. We figured out the officers just last wed. nite. Ping me and I will tell you how to get in touch if you want to join. It will be sponsored by Central Harley/Buell. They are a full Buell dealer. Frank is a mechanic and rides a Buell. He is a Bueller for sure. Now to your bike problem. I had a 96 S1. I had a similar problem and found it to be at a plug along the top frame rail on the right side of the bike as you set on it. You could see the wires pulled out of the plug holder. The harness was under tension and caused the wires to come out of the plastic plug. This would be a good place to start if you are mechanically inclined. Let me know how it goes. You will have to take the gas tank off to get to the plug if they located it in the same place on the 97. If not look for the plug that goes to the front of the bike. If you have a service manual that will help. | ||
| Fuscat |
Henrik, thanks for the tips I will be checking out all of you and kcbill's suggestions tommarow! When I changed the bulb I didn't notice anything in the socket. I will check it again. I did however notice one of the two screws holding the light cover on had rattled loose and went MIA. Maybe some moisture is getting in there I will look more closely. KCBill, that is awesome! I had no idea I just looked at buell.com and noticed no BRAG info posted there I would definantly like to join! I did not know Central HD became a buell dealer! That is good news! Hopefully they will be better then the worth/buell. I wonder if they are participating in the free knee puck promotion?! I may have to ride out there and check it out maybe tommarow! I do have the service manual I will try to trace that harness down tommarow and see if I can find anything there. I appreciate the help. Any idea on the number of potential members to the KC area BRAG?? | ||
| Fuscat |
Well guys thanks again! Problem solved! I am not too sure which part fixed it. I checked the switch and it was testing ok. I then checked the wires themselves and everything appeared ok. I replaced the connectors. Took the tank off and checked the harnesses, everything looked to be ok. I also took some steel wool to the socket for the tail light I did not see any corrosion or anything but did it anyway. When I got it all put back together it worked!! It worked enough for me to get in almost 3 hundred miles today I rode all over! I also saw a very nice looking grey X1 lightning for sale while I was out but no price.. Thanks again! | ||
| Kcbill |
Well you'll have to keep an eye on it. I have posted on the storm front Fuscat. Give me a call. | ||
| Tusk |
I just bought an M2 cyclone.This is one of the most powerfull sport bikes I have ever ridden. the question that I have is about the rear turnsignals, the person who had the bike cut the lisence plate holder and made it shorter. then had to refit the signals, are there any after market signals that will fit the modification. even with the changes the bike still looks bad ass.... | ||
| Reepicheep |
I have cheap (lockhart phillips I think) flush mounts on my Cyclone, they look nice and work pretty well. I don't remember if I had to drill a new hole or not... |
