Tail light out

My 1979 KZ1000 tail light is not working. That is, the running light doesn't work. The brake light does come on when I hit the brakes.

I changed the bulb and the tail light still was inoperative. Next, I checked the wiring to the tail light and went to the connector upstream from there, under the seat. Looks okay.

My question - is there a certain point in the harness that tends to cause this problem? Or do I just need to follow the wiring and use a multimeter to find out where the issue is?

I am not much of an electrican, if anyone can help that would be great.

Tail light is normally a direct power feed off the ignition switch....

Since brake light is operating, assumption good ground to lamp assembly but not necessarily the bulb holder itself.... check and clean any oxidation where bulb ground contacts the holder.... DVM resistance continuity test for insuring frame/battery ground at same potential to bulb holder ground...

DVM for battery +Vdc when ignition switch is turned on.... DVM black probe on grounded frame or battery (-) post... Meter set to Vdc +20Vdc range...

Turn on ignition switch, measure running light connector for battery voltage... Follow this running light power feed from ignition switch all the way to the bulb holder power contacts.

Would need your exact wiring diagram but should be close enough to give you an idea....

77/78KZ1000 diagram....

Under seat over rear fender, could connect working brake light feed into tail light connector to determine whether tail light bulb filament shines when brake is applied.

If not already done, would confirm voltage from harness wire where it connects to the wire going to the tail light.

Would also confirm tail light bulb filament is intact by using an ohmmeter.

Good Fortune!

Anyone have a 79 KZ1000 wiring diagram?

Be interesting to see if there's a large difference....

Here are links to downloadable KZ1000 LTD model wiring diagrams (under KZ Info, Filebase).

kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_docman&...d&gid=280&Itemid=108

kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_docman&...d&gid=485&Itemid=108

kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_docman&...d&gid=445&Itemid=108

Good Fortune!

On most Kawasaki's, the color code for the rear lighting is:

RED,running or tail light circit.
BLUE(sometimes with a red stripe),the brake light circuit.
BLACK with YELLOW stripe, the ground circuit.

Wow you guys are super helpful, thanks! It's Monday morning, I must do some work. I'll checkout the wiring this week and hopefully get it fixed easily.

Here's a picture of my KZ.

Okay the solution was really simple - a burned out fuse. Replaced the fuse and now the running light works.

Also, the right turn signal and the right turn indicator on the dash are "always on" now with the fresh fuse.

Well that will be something else to check tomorrow. The bike did not come with front turn signals so they don't work anyways for now.

Aloha, Mike

"right turn signal and the right turn indicator on the dash are "always on" now with the fresh fuse."...

Is Turn signal switched (left handle bar control) in the ON position?

Possibly the Hazzard switch is ON as well for it also uses the turn signals...

Normal if in or wired to the on position where it's recognizing one of the turn signal bulbs being out.... No blinky....