No Tail Light

[ndbigfish]

I have an 03' 1500 Nomad that has no tail light. Light quit working all of a sudden.

I have checked the fuse; it was okay. I have dis-assembled and cleaned the ignition with contact cleaner.

The tail light will light when the ignition is in the "PARK" position, just not in the "ON" position.

Any ideas?

[ringadingh]

Id check the wires and harness plugs, you will need the manual to trace them, Check with the ignition switch in the normal run position starting at the switch. If it works in the park position its telling me there may be a bad connection in the switch contacts or wire in that area. if you have power there, youll have to look further along the harness, checking for breaks, or chaffing.

[macmac]

Ignition swith is likey dead. The "Park" contact is working. Odd problem in that I assume the ft parking lamps still come on. With a wall mounted mirror or a friend wiggle the key in ON.

[ndbigfish]

I tried all kinds of wiggling and partial engagements, but nothing. After I removed the ignition and cleaned it, I removed the ignition wires back to the first plug in the harness. I could not find any problems. I removed the fuse box, but could not find a problem. I checked the harness across the engine; no problems. I removed the battery to look for chaffing on the electrical harness, but saw nothing. When removing the battery and the crimp on connector that supplies power to the auxillary fuse panel came off. I soldered it on to the supply wire and re-assembled everything. I tested the fuse for the tail light to verify that it was working and it seemed to be hit or miss on the check light. I think something is not right in the fuse.

I checked the tail light and it worked. It has continued to work with out any issues. One noteworthy item is that there is small ball bearing under the spring in the ignition. I discovered this after re-assembly when it rolled across the garage floor. It went between the ignition center spring and the plastic "cup" that holds the contacts of the ignition switch.

[ringadingh]

I know all about the tiny ball bearings and springs in the ignition switch, Ive spent a whille searching my garage floor as well.
Sometimes the copper contacts stick in the switch and dont bounce on that small spring under them. This causes the switch to not have contact on some functions and creates problems. Ive had my switch apart twice so far and have cleaned it up and lubed it a bit. In my particular case the fuel pump doesn't turn on when the contacts are stuck. I know right away that if I cant hear the pump whining that it won't start. Turning it off and on again cures the problem. Eventually I'll have to replace the ignition switch.

[ndbigfish]

I was a little miffed when I saw the ball bearing rolling across the floor; not sure where it came from, but the ignition switch was the first thought. I never saw it in place to begin with. Can you take the lock out of the ignition housing? A new ignition is $90.

[ringadingh]

Ive never removed the lock cylinder , but was told by a dealer that it can be done. I don't imagine it would be too hard to do.

[car5car]

Originally Posted by macmac

Ignition swith is likey dead. .

100%. Use 600 sandpaper to clean contacts inside ign switch.

[macmac]

I don't see any passing lamps in the pic's, but do you have them and are they wired to a relay or not? If you do and they are wired up stright to the key with no relay that can be an issue. A aux fuse box says you got toys on the bike.

Whatcha got and how are these wired?

[ndbigfish]

Mac,
Pictures in the signature are a '99, but the issues are with an '03. The bike has an auxillary fuse panel wired straight from the battery. The auxillary panel is switched with a relay. The auxillary panel powers a set of driving lamps and a power outlet. Since I soldered the loop on the power lead at the battery, I have not had a problem. This was previously a crimped connection.