there is a fair amount on up and down movement in the lever....when I push it forward a little they go off...I guess my question is...has anyone had this happen and will replacing the pivot pin solve the problem or do I need a whole new lever? Thanks for the help

 

Hard to tell without being able to see it. Whatever makes it loose is where to start. So if the lever is fine and the pivot is worn....... then pivot only. If the lever is worn.........

 

loosen your brake master cylinder clamp bolts and push it up against the switch housing, and retighten. There can be no gap in between. If that doesn't fix it, chances are your
master cylinder plunger is not fully retracting. The spring inside the master cylinder is what is supposed to push your lever against the brake switch and turn the light off.
Try squeezing the front brake lever down really hard and releasing it a few times, exercise it a bit, that should get some better movement out of the plunger, and see if
that helps. If it's still hanging up, you may have to pop the seal out of the master and squirt some silicone spray around the plunger so the o-ring slides freely.

Hogdoc