running light

[vince]

Hey all my 07 Nomad front left running light won't come on any more. Turn signal works fine. Tried new bulb same result, moved bulb from other side and same result. Bike has a cobra light bar. I am original owner always garage kept. Any ideas where I should look?

[ldhthept]

Make sure ground is good on that side?

[duffy]

Wiring to the running light........start from the bulb and trace it back....

[vince]

To be clear but not state the obvious it is a dual filament bulb. The always on filament does not light but the blinker filament does. I know nada about wiring but will try.

[recumbentbob]

It's should be a single filament bulb. Probably a bad ground on that side.
The best way to ground running lights is to run a wire to the frame. Connect both lights to a ground wire and run a wire from them out the back of the headlight bucket to the frame.

[mbarr10]

If both bulbs work different ( assuming you swapped bulbs to save money and time= BONUS, you rock) it has to be in the connection on that side. Or the wiring. I would start with the connection. A bit of electrical cleaner on a Q-tip. Any thing further= Dude I do not know. But obviously trace it back. That is where I have no good advice. Keep in mind Occam's Razor.

[smokier]

Keep in mind Occam's Razor. ? I don't get the reference... :wtf:


My apologies if what follows is 'obvious' and falls in the "I already knew that"...


@Vince, as stated, check the contacts in the socket. If the bulb is an 1157 (two filament bulb). The ground is probably "ok" since the turn signal is working. The ground is the SIDEWALL of a socket type bulb. Look at the contacts are they clean? (Not corroded). Are the contacts on the bulb making contact with the contacts in the socket?

If you have a multi-meter, testing will be much easier. ($10 for cheap one, it'll get this task done.) Check for voltage at the socket. Black lead of course to the sidewall, red lead on each of the contacts in the socket (Turn signal ON, ignition ON, not in ACCESSORY, but ON). Trace wires back to the next connector in the harness. Test for the voltage at the connector. (Sometimes these connectors corrode, disconnecting, cleaning, reconnecting fixes them.). If the other front running light IS working, you shouldn't have to go past the first wiring harness connector. I *believe* that the running light power is split to left and right at the first connector (memory may fail me here.). Move to next connector in harness if needed...

Next is continuity checks. Also a feature on the multi-meter. Check to ensure that the wire/contacts are able to pass the current. Corroded wires can break, leaving the circuit 'open'. Test for continuity from the contact in the socket to the (same wire) at the first wiring harness connector. Repeat the check from the first connector to the second if possible.


Hope that helps...

If you are getting 'juice' to the socket, then the bulb contacts aren't making contact. A skilled solderer can add some solder to the contact in the socket to build it up. Or, replace the socket...


Sorry, stopping the babbling here.
Ride safe,
Smokier