Strange electrical issue 55 FL

[1955fle]

I have a strange electrical issue that started when I took the '55 out of hibernation. Got it fired up and noticed that the tail light goes on at the first switch position and off on the second. The tail light and headlight always only come on at the second switch position. None of the wiring has been touched, as the bike has ben put up for the winter. It is wired as stock per the manual diagram. So I was wonder where to start looking for the problem. Could it be the switch or a bad ground? What do you think?

P.S. It worked fine when I put it away for the winter.

[Bigincher]

Step 1: Remove dash cover. Might find a mouse nest.

[VPH-D]

Are you sure it's the tail light and not the brake light? The brake light switch is powered on the first position of the ign. switch.
VPH-D

[1955fle]

Took the dash cover off, mouse nest, and retraced the wires according to the diagram all looks correct. The brake light works correctly both at the first and second switch position. only the tail light comes on at the first position and shuts off at the second position. The headlight comes on at the second position as it should. I looked for a bad ground but the taillight unit grounds at the fender and does not have a ground wire. I only have the basics of how the switch works. Not sure of all of the details.

Are you sure it's the tail light and not the brake light? The brake light switch is powered on the first position of the ign. switch.
VPH-D

[blewcrab]

just a guess but is it possible that your brake switch is turning on the brake light ,,and your running light is burned out ?

[1951 adam]

Take a test light or meter and check the wires. The seat post junction feeds the tail light, should be easy to trace it down . Disconnect wire at block, see if the terminal is hot in position 1... And so on
Adam

[1955fle]

Well I found the problem. The contact plate in the switch had cracked and I still not sure why but I replaced it with an old one and it fixed the problem. Thanks for the input.

-Carl