My son took his new 02 954RR out for the first time today; I was on my 1100 KAT. We logged about 130 miles and all went well, except I noticed that his license plate light and his rear running lights done illuminate.

Yes, both his front and rear turn signals blink as they should, but the running lights don't come on like the front ones do.

So my question is, do the rears also function as running lights and should they remain on whenever the engine is running?

If so, any idea what would cause them not to illuminate?

My first task, tomorrow, will be to check the fuse(s) for the license plate light and rear running lights (assuming they should stay on like my Suzuki 1100 Katana's do.

After checking the fuse(s), and assuming they're good, I'll next check the bulbs. If all of them check good, where should I look next?

Just trying to get a head-start on this.

Thanks for any responses.

Jake

 

I don't think the rear signals have running lights. The license plate light is the brown wire under rear seat I would check that wire first.

 

Thanks for that, Mike. So all I need to do is track down the license plate light problem. Probably just a bulb which I looked up and found to be a 12v-5w bulb.

I remember years ago, for my 78 750 Suzuki I found a little electronic box that I wired into my brake light wiring that allowed the rear turn signal lights to illuminate whenever the brake was applied. I wonder if it's still made?'

Anyone running one of those?

Jake

 

Yes check the bulb first. My bike did not have a license plate light on it when I got it so to pass inspection I had to put one on. found an interior light for a car and spliced it into the tail light. That may be the brown wire I was thinking about but I cannot remember for sure. but I am sure it's just the bulb.

 

I've bought the LP bulbs for my 954 at Autozone and replaced it in the parking lot. Easy. No running lights on the rear of a 954. Haven't seen the box you speak of in years.

 

Thanks, guys, for the responses. I'd gotten use to the rear running lights on my 1100 Katana and had hoped the 54 had the same setup.

Jake