hello,

I have a 1999 lowrider and my break light is stuck on. I have checked the light out and both filaments are lit.

what could be the problem?

any insight will be greatly appreciated.

thank you in advance.



dice_gambler

 

Faulty brake light switch in the master cylinder assembly....I currently have the same issue on my 09 Bob.......

 

is it an easy fix?

 

I would guess that either the rear or front brake switch is stuck in the closed position. The front switch is more difficult to check so start with he rear.

In your rear master cylinder there is a switch with 2 wires. Disconnect both wires and connect a multi-meter right to the 2 prongs on the switch (you can get a cheap meter at Walmart). Set the meter to resistance (ohm) reading. The meter should be pegged all the way one way or reading a 0 or 1 depending if its digital or analog. With the meter still connected depress the rear brake pedal. The meter should change states. Pegged in the opposite direction change from 1 to 0. Something should change.

If you see the change then its most likely the front switch. You can test that switch by finding the plug from the right hand controls. Disconnect the plug and connect the meter to the 2 wires for the brake switch pins on the controls end of the plug and performing the same test as above.

 

The rear switch is easy to fix. Just unscrew the old install the new. Bleed the brake line. The front will involve more work as the wires will need to be spliced because the new switch will not come with long enough wires. The instructions to change both ar in the maintenance manual.

 

pull the relay in fuse box and check it first

 

Have you messed with the bars or front brake lever? If so, it's the front switch It's a normally closed switch, pushs in to turn off. If you pull one wire off the rear master cylinder switch and it goes off, it's the rear switch.

 

I've had to replaced the front switch 3 times on my 04, it's such a crap design. you'd think that they'd make that thing out of something not plastic. You can pop that front brake lever hard enough to snap that nub right off that switch. I noticed it the last time because I went through 3 tail lights in a week. I'm hoping this last one lasts a while....I dont like replacing them.

 

awesome info, looks like im grabbing the multimeter and giving it a go.

t/y for all the great info!

 

Usually the nub is broken off the front brake switch so the lever can't push the switch far enough to open it. You don't need a meter. First try pushing forward on the front brake lever and see if the light will flicker out. If not, remove front brake lever and push the switch in with your finger to see if light goes out. If none of this works try pulling a wire off the rear switch and see if that makes it go out. The front is more of a pain to change. You have to solder in a new switch and there's not much room to work in the switch housing.