Brake light works but tail light doesn't

DirtyBoy · April 20th, 2009, 07:06 PM

If i hit the front or rear brakes the light works but it's completely off when the bike is running without the brakes applied. I checked the wires and tail light fuse under the seat but everything looks to be OK. Any ideas on what it could be?

Jlin · April 20th, 2009, 07:20 PM

check the bulb, the brake light is a dual filament bulb, maybe that needs to be replaced.

Viper-Byte · April 20th, 2009, 07:36 PM

Your bulb is blown, replace it.

I have had the issue, the bulbs are dual fillament, which is why the brake light works but tail light doesn't.

TnNinjaGirl · April 20th, 2009, 07:48 PM

Same issue, blown bulb. There was a recall awhile back if I remember correctly.

Snake · April 20th, 2009, 07:52 PM

Good time to switch to an LED direct replacement bulb. They are very bright and no filament to burn out.

DirtyBoy · April 20th, 2009, 10:42 PM

Thank you all very much.

kkim · April 20th, 2009, 10:43 PM

so, did you fix the problem?

DirtyBoy · April 20th, 2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

so, did you fix the problem?

No not yet. I was too lazy to go and get a new bulb. I will definatley take care of it tomorrow.

i916it · April 29th, 2009, 12:30 AM

Yeauuupp. I've replaced mine atleast 10 times.
I think I got something shorted out inside.

It's the filaments...argh.

zail · April 29th, 2009, 02:18 PM

I had this problem too but where the filiment had broken it was still making contact sometimes thus leaving me with fully working brakelight and intermittant tail light - I checked all the wiring and totally dismantled the tail tidy before I even thought to check the bulb, and even then the break in the filiment was barely visible..

kkim · April 29th, 2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyBoy

No not yet. I was too lazy to go and get a new bulb. I will definatley take care of it tomorrow.

so, did you fix the problem?

bluphobic · May 19th, 2009, 07:44 PM

Does anyonw know how frequent this issue is? I just realized it was out on my bike.

kkim · May 19th, 2009, 07:46 PM

what year is your bike? they had some bad bulbs in the first year of the new gen 250Rs. Replace the bulb if it's burned out... should be good for a few years at least.

bluphobic · May 19th, 2009, 07:56 PM

its a 2008, would you happen to know where i could get an LED replacement bulb?

OldGuy · May 19th, 2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluphobic

its a 2008, would you happen to know where i could get an LED replacement bulb?

Have you tired the search function yet?

Alex · May 19th, 2009, 10:00 PM

Here are two threads with some related bulb info:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...highlight=bulb
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...highlight=bulb

DirtyBoy · May 19th, 2009, 10:56 PM

I bought some Sylvania bulbs one of which blew again about a week later. Now the one I replaced that one with burned out. I want to put LED's in but I dont want to have the same problem with a more expensive bulb.

TrueFaith · May 20th, 2009, 06:33 AM

The tail light bulb was an issue for 2008s. I had to replace mine within a month of getting my bike. A replacement bulb is only $1-2 so if you have a 2008 and the tail light hasn't gone yet, it's worth the peace of mind to replace it. You don't want it to go at night when you're far from home or you're likely to get rear-ended.
I hope eveyone is checking the operation of this bulb before every ride even if it has been replaced.

Cochese · May 27th, 2009, 05:04 PM

Mine died yesterday. Going with an LED replacement.

bluphobic · May 27th, 2009, 07:18 PM

I tried an led light, specifically a high power 5watt led bulb http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/115x-xLX3.htm. It's not bright at all, not even close to the light output of stock bulbs. Don't waste your money on an LED brake light.

April 20th, 2009, 07:06 PM	#1
DirtyBoy ninjette.org member Name: Leo Location: Phoenix, Az Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 66	Brake light works but tail light doesn't If i hit the front or rear brakes the light works but it's completely off when the bike is running without the brakes applied. I checked the wires and tail light fuse under the seat but everything looks to be OK. Any ideas on what it could be? __________________________________________________ 49T sprkt/ EK gold chain/ Galfer pads and SS lines/120 frt 150 rr Pilot Powers/ GSX-R can/Desnorkled/ Raised needles/ Slider spools/ Cowl/ LED rear signals/ Fender eliminator/ Tinted lights / Emu seat

April 20th, 2009, 07:36 PM	#3
Viper-Byte ninjette.org sage Name: David Location: Wellington, New Zealand Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R in Green! (Sold) Now 2011 Triumph Daytona 675 SE Posts: 564	Your bulb is blown, replace it. I have had the issue, the bulbs are dual fillament, which is why the brake light works but tail light doesn't. __________________________________________________ 2008 GREEN Kawasaki Ninja 250R. AreaP Quiet Core Carbon Fibre : 8000k HIDs : Dynojet Jet kit : Double Bubble Windscreen

April 20th, 2009, 10:42 PM	#6
DirtyBoy ninjette.org member Name: Leo Location: Phoenix, Az Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 66	Thank you all very much. __________________________________________________ 49T sprkt/ EK gold chain/ Galfer pads and SS lines/120 frt 150 rr Pilot Powers/ GSX-R can/Desnorkled/ Raised needles/ Slider spools/ Cowl/ LED rear signals/ Fender eliminator/ Tinted lights / Emu seat

May 19th, 2009, 10:00 PM	#16
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Here are two threads with some related bulb info: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...highlight=bulb http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...highlight=bulb __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

May 19th, 2009, 10:56 PM	#17
DirtyBoy ninjette.org member Name: Leo Location: Phoenix, Az Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 66	I bought some Sylvania bulbs one of which blew again about a week later. Now the one I replaced that one with burned out. I want to put LED's in but I dont want to have the same problem with a more expensive bulb. __________________________________________________ 49T sprkt/ EK gold chain/ Galfer pads and SS lines/120 frt 150 rr Pilot Powers/ GSX-R can/Desnorkled/ Raised needles/ Slider spools/ Cowl/ LED rear signals/ Fender eliminator/ Tinted lights / Emu seat

April 20th, 2009, 07:20 PM	#2
Jlin ninjette.org newbie Name: Jordan Location: Toronto Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r Posts: 5	check the bulb, the brake light is a dual filament bulb, maybe that needs to be replaced.

April 20th, 2009, 07:48 PM	#4
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	Same issue, blown bulb. There was a recall awhile back if I remember correctly.

April 20th, 2009, 07:52 PM	#5
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Good time to switch to an LED direct replacement bulb. They are very bright and no filament to burn out.

April 20th, 2009, 10:43 PM	#7
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	so, did you fix the problem?

April 29th, 2009, 12:30 AM	#9
i916it ninjette.org member Name: Sky Location: Sacramento Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 250R 08 Posts: 63	Yeauuupp. I've replaced mine atleast 10 times. I think I got something shorted out inside. It's the filaments...argh.

April 29th, 2009, 02:18 PM	#10
zail ninjette.org member Name: zail Location: Bristol, UK Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250r Posts: 156	I had this problem too but where the filiment had broken it was still making contact sometimes thus leaving me with fully working brakelight and intermittant tail light - I checked all the wiring and totally dismantled the tail tidy before I even thought to check the bulb, and even then the break in the filiment was barely visible..

May 19th, 2009, 07:44 PM	#12
bluphobic ninjette.org member Name: W Location: atlanta Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): None Posts: 46	Does anyonw know how frequent this issue is? I just realized it was out on my bike.

May 19th, 2009, 07:46 PM	#13
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	what year is your bike? they had some bad bulbs in the first year of the new gen 250Rs. Replace the bulb if it's burned out... should be good for a few years at least.

May 19th, 2009, 07:56 PM	#14
bluphobic ninjette.org member Name: W Location: atlanta Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): None Posts: 46	its a 2008, would you happen to know where i could get an LED replacement bulb?

May 20th, 2009, 06:33 AM	#18
TrueFaith ninjette.org sage Name: Wayne Location: Brookfield, MA Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Honda CBR250R Posts: 585	The tail light bulb was an issue for 2008s. I had to replace mine within a month of getting my bike. A replacement bulb is only $1-2 so if you have a 2008 and the tail light hasn't gone yet, it's worth the peace of mind to replace it. You don't want it to go at night when you're far from home or you're likely to get rear-ended. I hope eveyone is checking the operation of this bulb before every ride even if it has been replaced.

May 27th, 2009, 05:04 PM	#19
Cochese The Grand Royal Name: Cochese Location: Unmarked Rustbox Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 258	Mine died yesterday. Going with an LED replacement.

May 27th, 2009, 07:18 PM	#20
bluphobic ninjette.org member Name: W Location: atlanta Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): None Posts: 46	I tried an led light, specifically a high power 5watt led bulb http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/115x-xLX3.htm. It's not bright at all, not even close to the light output of stock bulbs. Don't waste your money on an LED brake light.

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