'02 Honda Rebel: My brake lights stopped working...

[Pin_Cushion]

I know this is a long shot, but the shop wants to charge me $65 to even look at this thing. I was driving around yesterday and someone told me that I had no brake lights. They worked fine when I left, but at this point the turn signals and Neutral indicator light weren't working either. The headlight works, and the high-beam indicator works. Also, the bike runs just fine. I really don't want to pay a shop 65 bucks to tell me I need to change a fuse/wire/bulb. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this?

[nyrblue35]

I really don't want to pay a shop 65 bucks to tell me I need to change a fuse/wire/bulb. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this?

you might have answered your own question . have you checked the fuses? im sure theyre not to hard to locate on the bike im guessing.

[Pin_Cushion]

Argh! Just went out to check the bike out, and now it won't start. It won't even turn over.

When a car does this kind of thing it's normally a safe assumption that something's wrong w/ the alternator or the battery. Is it safe to jump a bike off w/ a car? I'm kinda shooting in the dark here, but I'm broke as a churchmouse so paying a shop is out of the question.

[Pin_Cushion]

OMG Blue! Do you wanna get married or something? I mean, seriously...are you single...BECAUSE YOU'RE A GENIUS!

In case you're wondering, here's why...


I even had a spare in my fusebox that I didn't know about. Took 2 seconds to swap out, and everything works like new! WOO HOO!

[JCS]

Glad that it was only a fuse. Now, fuses don't usually blow without a reason. You should check your wiring and connections to try to find out why it blew.

[Pin_Cushion]

I had run the bike especially hard that day. I'm thinking that may have had something to do with it. Also, I was carrying a passenger, which I don't normally do since it's a rather underpowered bike. Something wierd about my bike is that it doesn't have any rear turn signals. The guy I bought it from took them off (I assume because he broke one when he dropped the bike, but he denies dropping it). I don't know if that would mess w/ my electrics enough to cause fuses to blow, and honestly it's just extra info. My guess is that driving all day in stop/go traffic, with the constant braking, just heated the rear-light fuse up till it blew.

Here's hoping...<crosses fingers>

[Gadjet]

check over all your wiring anyway. The brake light and rear turn signals are usually on the same fuse; if there is a short or intermittant connection with the rear turn signal wiring due to the lack of lights, that would cause the fuse to pop.

[Skier]

check over all your wiring anyway. The brake light and rear turn signals are usually on the same fuse; if there is a short or intermittant connection with the rear turn signal wiring due to the lack of lights, that would cause the fuse to pop.

Yep, give your wiring a check. My Katana just had an identical problem, it was a fuse. Went over my entire wiring harness and found a couple of dicey connections, fixed 'em and it's alright for now.

[JCS]

How you were riding the bike that day would have nothing to do with it. Check the wiring, connections, even the socket that the bulb goes in for loose connections or corrosion.

[nyrblue35]

OMG Blue! Do you wanna get married or something? I mean, seriously...are you single...BECAUSE YOU'RE A GENIUS!

In case you're wondering, here's why...


I even had a spare in my fusebox that I didn't know about. Took 2 seconds to swap out, and everything works like new! WOO HOO!

hmmm, if you look like kate from "lost" on abc then i will come to your house and kidnap you for life. and this is all with hoping you're female of course. and yes..............im single(but dont tell my girlfriend)..............

glad you got the bike running. its the best feeling when its simple stupid stuff like that.