Tail light and brake light question w/ pics

[Zosixd]

Hello all. First time Spyder owner. Just got my 2016 (new) RS-S and have a question about the tail lights. Should both bulbs be lit while running or only one? The brakes lights work fine and both light up. I pulled both bulbs and swapped them with new and each other and still same thing. The factory bulbs look great.


Thanks, AngusIMG_3110.jpgIMG_3109.jpg

[billybovine]

Bad bulb needs to be replaced.

[PistonBlown]

Both bulbs should be lit. As you've replaced both then connection/wiring the obvious likely cause and I'm guessing near the rear of the Spyder.

I can't quite remember how the wiring goes to those two but I think there is a connector for each that you can reach by removing the black splash guard under the rear panels (3 torc screws each side and one at the back from memory). I may be getting mixed with the indicators but I think that's right for the rear lights as well.

I'd just try swapping the connectors around and see what happens. If the problem moves to the other side then its probably the connector (or possibly further back along the wiring), if it stays then it's the plug socket or the bit of wire between that and the connector. Of course it could be one of those annoying issues that disappears as soon as you touch the wiring:-)

By the way if you loose both rear lights on a Spyder (e.g. both bulbs blow) it will put the Spyder into limp home mode so definitely something that needs sorting.

[Zosixd]

Well it is brand new and under warranty soooo it will go get fixed! Here is a pic of the left and right side wiring i saw when checking the bulbs. The left (with issue) looks like the covering is torn back from the ride side.IMG_3108.jpgIMG_3107.jpg

[billybovine]

Sorry I was reading from my phone (small print) and missed that you switched the bulbs already.
Must be a problem in the wiring and it's still under warranty. Let them sort it out.

[ARtraveler]

and . It looks like they have you covered on the brake light question. Let the dealer fix it since it is new and under warranty. They should have caught this during prep.

[billybovine]

By the way if you loose both rear lights on a Spyder (e.g. both bulbs blow) it will put the Spyder into limp home mode so definitely something that needs sorting.

I have to disagree. Burning out both bulbs. Whether it's the tail light filament or brake light filament. Will not cause a fault and/or put the Spyder into Limp Home Mode. The current draw buy either of those circuits is not monitored like the turn signal bulbs are. Confusion comes from failure of the brake light switch to close or the fuse for that circuit is burnt out will cause a brake failure code and resulting Limp Home Mode. Yes the brake lights don't work in that case either, but it has nothing to do with the bulbs.

[JayBros]

You have bare wires showing on one bulb. Dealer must replace on BRP's warranty nickel.

[PistonBlown]

I have to disagree. Burning out both bulbs. Whether it's the tail light filament or brake light filament. Will not cause a fault and/or put the Spyder into Limp Home Mode. The current draw buy either of those circuits is not monitored like the turn signal bulbs are. Confusion comes from failure of the brake light switch to close or the fuse for that circuit is burnt out will cause a brake failure code and resulting Limp Home Mode. Yes the brake lights don't work in that case either, but it has nothing to do with the bulbs.

No worries I don't mind being corrected:-) It's been mentioned a few times in the past on this forum so I've always been careful to replace mine as soon as one side has gone - obviously not everything you read on SpyderLovers is true after all:-)

[Chupaca]

You could go into the whole checking wiring, plugs, harnesses and bulbs , some of which you have already done, but I agree let them fix the problem. Both should light up for running lights and go brighter for the brake lights. I would suspect the pigtail bulb to the harness....

[Zosixd]

It will be going to shop this week.
Thanks again for the comments and help.
I bought it 184 miles away so it will go to local dealer.

[Ron2andia]

[billybovine]

No worries I don't mind being corrected:-) It's been mentioned a few times in the past on this forum so I've always been careful to replace mine as soon as one side has gone - obviously not everything you read on SpyderLovers is true after all:-)

It's been mentioned several times and gets repeated from time to time. Not as popular a myth as the magical mystery key walk. That cures every possible problem from it will not start to a flat tire. You just happened to be the one to repeat it when I decided to tackle it as just another myth.

[PistonBlown]

It's been mentioned several times and gets repeated from time to time. Not as popular a myth as the magical mystery key walk. That cures every possible problem from it will not start to a flat tire. You just happened to be the one to repeat it when I decided to tackle it as just another myth.

Ah but the mystery key walk is just one of those 'Count to 10' frustration approaches. The time it takes means you've calmed down and will actually think about what you're doing...and less likely to start beating your Spyder with a branch:-)