so close... no rear running or gauge light '83 r65

[tc80211]

having a bit of headache... '83 r65
i have my key switch hooked up correctly with all the wires as they should be...
When i turn key to first position - guage light and rear running light come on(no headlight)

When i turn key to the second position which is the position needed for the starter/ignition/so on to work... headlight comes on but rear running light goes off and gauge light goes off...

Hoping i just overlooked something, but unsure where to start... it is my understanding that rear running light should always be on, regardless... as for the front gauge light, no idea.

[Bengt_Phorqs]

By rear running light do you mean tail light?  Have you done some electrical work lately?  If so the best course of action is to check the last thing you did.  Do you have access to an electrical schematic for the bike and also a digital multimeter?  Those are two must have items for electrical troubleshooting.

[tc80211]

By rear running light do you mean tail light?  Have you done some electrical work lately?  If so the best course of action is to check the last thing you did.  Do you have access to an electrical schematic for the bike and also a digital multimeter?  Those are two must have items for electrical troubleshooting.

no electrical work whatsoever... when i got the bike it was "rough". Actually thats to nice of a word, it was a pile... did not run, so there was no testing anything...
Took apart and restored...
The harness was intact and complete and there was a plug with a corresponding end for everything, so no guess work for wiring this thing and that is why this is so odd...
The more I read the more I think it may be a relay as I took off the ignition switch and with the key in on position I switched the 56 and 58 wires.... the headlight turned off and the running light came on along with the gauge light...

This is a used/replacement ignition switch as the bike didn't come with keys and i couldn't find a locksmith who could cut a key for the ignition as none of them wanted to take it apart...

so for now daytime riding is good... night time, not so much.

[Barry]

When i turn key to the second position which is the position needed for the starter/ignition/so on to work... headlight comes on but rear running light goes off and gauge light goes off...
 

If the rear light comes on at the first position then the wiring from the switch onwards must be correct.

The headlight is a separate circuit to the rear light and instrument light.
Logic suggests it must be the switch or the way it's connected up. I would check it's function with a meter. The lights should go off on a Euro 5 position switch but not on a 3 position US switch.

[steve hawkins]

My R100 has the same issue.  No rear light in the second position.

I have not figured it out either.

Cheers

Rev Light

[tc80211]

Can I combine the wire that run the headlights to the wire that runs the tail lights? any negatives to that?