Intermiitent brake light failure

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Jan 27, 2015 | 11:59 AM

Super Glidester

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From: 40.2444° N, 75.6419° W

Intermiitent brake light failure

My 2005 Super glide's brake light doesn't work sometimes. I can park the bike idling, check both front and rear brakes and no brake light. I shut the bike off, start it back up a few minutes later, and the brake light works. I know the control levers were replaced with chrome levers, is there a chance the problem is in the front brake switch? if so, would the light work on the rear brake lever? Any ideas or similar complaints? anyone? Or do I have to:

Jan 27, 2015 | 12:15 PM

Lentini93

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From: Las Vegas, NV

I have a 2011 streetbob. My left running light works when it wants to. Blinker works, brake works, but running light only when it's in the mood.

I'm sure there's a joke about a girlfriend in there somewhere....

Jan 27, 2015 | 03:57 PM

Tfree

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From: Marietta Georgia

Had the same..check your wiring under the rear fender..i ground mine away bottoming out

Jan 27, 2015 | 04:11 PM

Jackie Paper

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From: Honah Lee

First of, since it's out on the front (electric micro switch under the front lever) and back (hydraulic switch in the brake line going to the back). It's probably a bad bulb connection in the tail light itself. Be sure to get bulb from a Harley dealer. Automotive bulbs are short lived with the vibration on a Harley fender. Dab a bit of dialectical silicon grease on it also for good measure.

Jan 27, 2015 | 07:14 PM

bdtaylor1979

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From: Garland, TX

I had that happen and it was the contacts in the socket for the brake light bulb. Over time, due to heat created from electrical current flowing through, the contacts in the socket can actually spread apart a little from the bulb being in. I took a flat tip screw driver and bent the contacts in a little so they make a tighter fit/make better contact with the bulb and it worked great ever since.

Jan 28, 2015 | 06:43 AM

Super Glidester

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From: 40.2444° N, 75.6419° W

Thank you all for the suggestions so far. I will try a dealer bulb first, and check out the lamp socket. The bike is ten years old, with low miles. There is evidence that it sat such as dust under the seat etc. And possibly it sat under a carport or un insulated garage, so I an going to inspect connections for corrosion and look at the fuse box for signs of corrosion.