I have checked everything....the bulb, the fuses, the wires

i tested the wires that plug into the the front brake handle, and only one of them came back as 12v tho...the other one was dead

so is that the ground??? or should both wires be 12v? (one for the break light, one for the running light???)

 

Did you check for Voltage on the poles at the socket? Also check to see if there is any corrosion on the poles in the socket. I don't know for sure but when you pull the brake lever I think all it does is just closes a contact to ground so there should only be 1 wire with 12v. I know those wires that go to the taillight are usually twisted up so it could be possible that they are broken on the back of the socket.

 

I checked 2 ds's last night and I noticed the same thing. With the hand brake lever the brake light did not come on but with the foot lever it did. I check this on mine which is a 2000 and my buddies which is a 2004. Maybe that's just the way they set them up?

 

My brake light works with the front handle brake. I know the first few years of DS's had tail light troubles. My brake lights work perfect, but the tail light doesn't turn on.

 

There is a little switch near the front brake handle that makes the brake light work. It seems to go out often, probably because it is too easy for grit to get in there. I recall that it costs around $15 at the dealer.

The rear brake light switch is a very common automotive part. When mine went out, I took it to Napa and they were able to match it up. That one cost about $10.


<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Todem

I checked 2 ds's last night and I noticed the same thing. With the hand brake lever the brake light did not come on but with the foot lever it did. I check this on mine which is a 2000 and my buddies which is a 2004. Maybe that's just the way they set them up?</end quote></div>

 

just replaced both of my switches. they came in the mail form bike bandit. both with shipping was $36.00 and i had them in 3 days. the front switch is VERY prone to dirt getting into it. i used a small switch i had and set up a temporary one until the new ones came( i am street leagal & needed a brake light) if the tail light does not come on i think your headlight switch (left side handlebar) is bad, the contacts may be dirty. mine shorted out once & blew one of the main fuses but never did it again. the lower switch is in an easy place for damage. my pins came loose so it didn't work.

 

which switch controls the running light? i have no light in the back and like to ride at night...should i just replace both switches and see if that was it?

 

the switch for the tail light is run from the same switch that runs the head lights on the left bar by the clutch. the work together.

 

so your saying that my headlights wouldnt work either if my switch was bad.???