Tail Light/Front Signal Running Lights not working

[tallnwise]

Hi there,

First off, I am electrically handicapped . My head light, brake lights and signals work fine. The always-on running lights are not coming on.

I do have the GL1100 wiring layout. I have checked the 5A fuse, have checked the "brown" lead from the tail-light, replaced the tail-light bulb, also checked the "black" wires from the the front signal lights. All these seem to be OK.

What are my next steps? Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Dan
1980 GL1100

[tallnwise]

FIXED --- guess I should not rely on "visual" inspection. Went thru process of elimination using a multi-meter, was the fuse after all.

Learnt something today.

[WingAdmin]

FIXED --- guess I should not rely on "visual" inspection. Went thru process of elimination using a multi-meter, was the fuse after all.

Learnt something today.

#1 lesson learned about fuses!

Yes, a fuse can look obviously blown:

But many times a fuse can be failed but without microscopic inspection, you can't see it visually. I never rely on visual inspection of fuses, I always test them electrically.

They can be tested in the circuit, as the terminals are exposed while installed (both types of fuses). Make sure the circuit in question is attempting to draw current, and measure across the fuse. If you see voltage across the fuse, then the fuse is blown. If there are 0 volts across the fuse, then the fuse is good.

[Rmyers104]

Big +1 to the above post!

My aftermarket LED headlight started flickering on my other bike so I assumed the headlight was faulty. Checking voltage at the harness inside the bucket didn't show 12v+, so I traced it back to the fuse panel..... with the blade fuse in the panel, I check for continuity across the top of the fuse and it tested good. After scratching my head for a while, I decided to pull the fuse in question and the one blade had detached (probably due to age, vibration, corrosion, etc)