Brake light always on **fixed**
#1
07-02-2015, 08:39 AM
Brake light always on **fixed**
Sorry for the length of this post.
It could have been shorter but I wanted to be specific.
On a poker run last week one of the other riders informed me that my brake light was always on.
Once I got home I search this forum and found numerous threads on the subject with various possible causes but I found time and time again the ******** with the problems never posted what the actual fix was.
Anyway, thanks to the responses to the ******** who were asking for help but not posting their fix, I was able to determine that my problem was my front brake light switch.
Whenever the front brake level is not being pulled the level depresses a little plastic switch.
Once the brake level is pulled, pressure is taken off the switch which closes the circuit inside the switch and thus activates the brake light.
On the plastic switch there is a small dimple that apparent if not careful can be broken off when screwing with the front left controls or the dimple can just be broken off due to wear.
Anyway what I did in the interim was epoxy a small rubber washer onto the head of the switch to fill the space where the dimple was.
This allows the brake level to depress the switch which in turn opens the circuit and turns off the brake light.
I called the dealer to get the small plastic switch and they wanted $60 for this small plastic next to nothing switch along with the fact they had to order it.
I found the switch for $17 at JP Cycles but also found it at a local indie bike shop for $16. So I bought the switch.
As of right now my rubber washer fix is holding strong and seeing that I have a replacement switch on hand my temp fix will probably last forever.
Also, even though not rocket science, the switch replacement looks like it could be a pain in the ***.
Anyway if my temp fix fails, I have the replacement switch on hand.
It could have been shorter but I wanted to be specific.
On a poker run last week one of the other riders informed me that my brake light was always on.
Once I got home I search this forum and found numerous threads on the subject with various possible causes but I found time and time again the ******** with the problems never posted what the actual fix was.
Anyway, thanks to the responses to the ******** who were asking for help but not posting their fix, I was able to determine that my problem was my front brake light switch.
Whenever the front brake level is not being pulled the level depresses a little plastic switch.
Once the brake level is pulled, pressure is taken off the switch which closes the circuit inside the switch and thus activates the brake light.
On the plastic switch there is a small dimple that apparent if not careful can be broken off when screwing with the front left controls or the dimple can just be broken off due to wear.
Anyway what I did in the interim was epoxy a small rubber washer onto the head of the switch to fill the space where the dimple was.
This allows the brake level to depress the switch which in turn opens the circuit and turns off the brake light.
I called the dealer to get the small plastic switch and they wanted $60 for this small plastic next to nothing switch along with the fact they had to order it.
I found the switch for $17 at JP Cycles but also found it at a local indie bike shop for $16. So I bought the switch.
As of right now my rubber washer fix is holding strong and seeing that I have a replacement switch on hand my temp fix will probably last forever.
Also, even though not rocket science, the switch replacement looks like it could be a pain in the ***.
Anyway if my temp fix fails, I have the replacement switch on hand.
Last edited by Bluraven; 07-02-2015 at 08:42 AM.
#3
07-03-2015, 08:46 PM
Road Captain
#4
07-04-2015, 12:21 AM
Generally if you do not use a proper spacer and procedure when removing the brake lever, the lever snags the little switch and screws it up. Several symptoms can occur: No brake light when lever is pulled; Brake light always on; switch sticks when lever is pulled.
This is a very common issue (mostly when changing grips or handle bars). Unfortunately you have to be good with a soldering iron to get into the small space to replace the switch. I bet dollars to doughnuts most of your local dealers keep them in stock.
This is a very common issue (mostly when changing grips or handle bars). Unfortunately you have to be good with a soldering iron to get into the small space to replace the switch. I bet dollars to doughnuts most of your local dealers keep them in stock.
Last edited by Gommee; 07-04-2015 at 12:23 AM.
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