Taillight Issue

[marykayejn]

Hi all - I've had my 2009 R12 for about 2 months and still working out the kinks. Heading in Tues to have the gas gauge fixed for one thing. But my newest dilemma is the taillight. Every other time or so, when I turn the key off, the taillight stays on. Turn the key on, then off again and the taillight goes off. I wonder how long the light would stay on if I just left it, but don't want to run my battery down. I know it'll stay on for 2 - 3 minutes . . . Looked in the MOM, but don't see anything that tells me I should be doing anything different. I know that I'm not turning the key to park . . . Any ideas or experience would be appreciated.

[bobw]

The magic of CANBUS

Seriously, my first thought was eliminated by the time I finished reading it was not in the parking light key position. Always start with a simple and methodical troubleshooting process of elimination checking one "thing" at a time. This "system" is not like a car where the key can be off and still allow for brake lights being displayed when you touch the pedal. I would look at the bulb just to make sure there is not a broken filament touching/grounding (shouldn't matter, but it's easy to eliminate as an issue) and inspect the base to see it is clean and then properly seated in the socket. If you can duplicate the "on when off" condition, try the brake and signal switches to see if they work and if there is any change to the illumination. If you have an ohm or multi meter type tester, see what draw is showing from the battery when the key is off and hopefully when the mystery lighting is activated. Turn the bars back and forth and push, pull and tug on the few wires and connectors/fuses that are available and check that the battery cables are clean and tight. Electric gremlins can be so frustrating to find and yet the common causes are so simple (a loose connection, simple short or a little unwelcome moisture, etc.). I wouldn't get too involved beyond a basic "once over" as it is a warranty item and can be a pain to solve beyond that point. Last, but not least, enjoy numerous adult beverages of your choice and commence threatening it with a cattle prod! This may not help, but it could make you feel better.

Good luck!

P.S.

any add on electronics???

[marykayejn]

Thanks, Bobw. I start trying some of those. The only thing I've done is turn the key back on and then off. That always works. Although the numerous adult beverages and the cattle prod are the most tempting

[winkeldc]

Have you looked at the bars at full lock? After returning from the dealer awhile back, I noticed when they replaced the bars, they turned them a bit and at full lock, the left turn signal paddle would contact the tank. Seems that's how you get the parking lights on. Is your headlamp parking light on at the same time? To turn off, you cycle the key to the on position, so this sounds sort of like what was happening to me.

[marykayejn]

Actually, I put set back risers on and made sure that the controls don't touch the tank . . . good idea, though!