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Author Topic: tail light won't go out!  (Read 1160 times)

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JohnnyTremendous.

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tail light won't go out!
« on: July 05, 2008, 09:02:52 PM »
I changed my rear turn signals today (to LEDs) and now my tail light wont go out!  I have the keys out and the kill switch off, but still it stays on.  I've checked the brakes and it does not seem to be related, as the brake light gets brighter when the brakes are pulled.  Any ideas about what might be wrong?

1976 CB750a

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troppo

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Re: tail light won't go out!
« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2008, 09:33:07 PM »
Its a strange one for sure, i`d vote for a fault in the switches (ignition or light)
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Offline Joel

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Re: tail light won't go out!
« Reply #2 on: July 05, 2008, 09:38:24 PM »
When you're using the brake light to test, is the ignition on or off?  If both the tail and brake lights are functional with the key out, it's probably a short in the ignition switch circuit somewhere.
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Offline dustyc

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Re: tail light won't go out!
« Reply #3 on: July 05, 2008, 09:42:59 PM »
Double check that the rear brake light switch is seated correctly.  I noticed mine was on all the time and my boot must have knocked it.  -Just something to check.
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Offline Gordon

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Re: tail light won't go out!
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2008, 03:29:46 AM »
When you turned the ignition switch off did you turn it to the left and pull out the key or turn it to the right and pull out the key? 

Turning it to the right is the "Park" setting which will leave the tail light on (for side-of-the-road safety reasons) and will still allow you to remove the key. 
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JohnnyTremendous.

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Re: tail light won't go out!
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2008, 11:33:29 AM »
Wow, Gordon's reply did the trick.  I had no idea that it did that.  I guess I've always just turned the key to the left.  As silly as I feel, I'm still glad it was such a simple fix.  Thanks all.  :-[
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Offline heffay

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Re: tail light won't go out!
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2008, 11:35:58 AM »
you've always turned to the left?  except for this time?
to the left should turn lights off... right should leave the lights on.

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Offline Gordon

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Re: tail light won't go out!
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2008, 12:56:24 PM »
It's a nice feelling when a problem turns out to not be a problem after all. ;D
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Offline Joel

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Re: tail light won't go out!
« Reply #8 on: July 06, 2008, 01:07:55 PM »
Quote from: Gordon on July 06, 2008, 12:56:24 PM
It's a nice feelling when a problem turns out to not be a problem after all. ;D

And when you find new features to boot.  :P
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Offline Gordon

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Re: tail light won't go out!
« Reply #9 on: July 06, 2008, 03:02:50 PM »
Quote from: Joel C on July 06, 2008, 01:07:55 PM
Quote from: Gordon on July 06, 2008, 12:56:24 PM
It's a nice feelling when a problem turns out to not be a problem after all. ;D

And when you find new features to boot.  :P

The only thing I've found that feature useful for is draining the battery when you absentmindedly turn the key the wrong way and leave the tail light on all night.  You only do it once, though. ;)
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