Brake lights stuck on
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 655
Likes: 6
Brake lights stuck on - Solution? pics
Noticed today that my brake lights are stuck on. I did remove the center big tail light today, but didn't touch the two side lights. Not sure how long this has been this way.
Anyone experienced this?
[better explanation below]
Anyone experienced this?
[better explanation below]
Last edited by Steel Steed; Nov 21, 2011 at 10:40 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 14
From: Central Ohio
How could the brake light (lights) be 'stuck' on if you removed it?
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 655
Likes: 6
i didn't explain well.
Today, I installed wires for heated gloves. Simple install, black on neg terminal on battery, red on positive terminal on battery. In the process of installing that, I had removed the center tail light. Then realized, I didn't need to do that and put it back on.
After reassembly of everything, I was checking to make sure all lights were working and noticed that the brake lights are stuck on. The big light in the middle and the two smaller lights on the rear fender all on. When I squeeze the brake lever or press the pedal, nothing happens. The blinkers still work.
I went back a second time to verify the center tail light, that I had disconnected earlier, is on correctly and it is.
I don't know if the brakes on on due to putting the wires on the battery for heated gloves, or if this was a problem before and I wasn't aware of it.
As of now, I can't tell why they brakes lights are stuck on (illuminated).
I also had a rear tire put on last week. Could the guy at the shop have done something to cause this while working on rear wheel?
Today, I installed wires for heated gloves. Simple install, black on neg terminal on battery, red on positive terminal on battery. In the process of installing that, I had removed the center tail light. Then realized, I didn't need to do that and put it back on.
After reassembly of everything, I was checking to make sure all lights were working and noticed that the brake lights are stuck on. The big light in the middle and the two smaller lights on the rear fender all on. When I squeeze the brake lever or press the pedal, nothing happens. The blinkers still work.
I went back a second time to verify the center tail light, that I had disconnected earlier, is on correctly and it is.
I don't know if the brakes on on due to putting the wires on the battery for heated gloves, or if this was a problem before and I wasn't aware of it.
As of now, I can't tell why they brakes lights are stuck on (illuminated).
I also had a rear tire put on last week. Could the guy at the shop have done something to cause this while working on rear wheel?
Last edited by Steel Steed; Nov 21, 2011 at 10:42 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 46
From: East Hartford, CT
Just a guess that maybe your brake switch is broke.
Have you messed with your front brake control recently?
I have heated gloves and pulled my seat to locate at the rear of the gas tank.
No problems.
Have you messed with your front brake control recently?
I have heated gloves and pulled my seat to locate at the rear of the gas tank.
No problems.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
This happens a lot as the front brake levers are rubbish. Push the lever all the way forward and see if it goes out. Remove the lever, press the little black button (in the space where the lever came out of) in and see if the light goes out. If either one of these works you need to have a blob of alloy weld put on the part of the lever that actuates the little black button,then you file it to suit until it works OK.
Sometimes, if the bike has not done many miles, you can file the lever bracket so the lever goes fully forward as some are not cast properly.
Let us know how you get on.
Sometimes, if the bike has not done many miles, you can file the lever bracket so the lever goes fully forward as some are not cast properly.
Let us know how you get on.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 655
Likes: 6
That's how I wired mine.
I also had a rear tire put on last week. Could the guy at the shop have done something to cause this while working on rear wheel?
Last edited by Steel Steed; Nov 21, 2011 at 08:36 PM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
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Think I have found where the problem is. Looks like it's the rear brake light switch on the back of the rear master cylinder. I unplugged one of the two connectors and the brake lights went off. The brake lights still come on when I pull the front brake lever, though.
It took me a while to find where this rear brake switch was, so here's some pics for anyone else interested.
If you look carefully, you can see I have the black connector unplugged from the switch.
Here is a pic of what I was working on initially, when I realized there was a brake light issue.
Connection for my Gerbing's G3 heated gloves I just got this past weekend.
At least I can now still go for a ride tomorrow, now that I know the front brakes actuate the light perfectly.
It took me a while to find where this rear brake switch was, so here's some pics for anyone else interested.
If you look carefully, you can see I have the black connector unplugged from the switch.
Here is a pic of what I was working on initially, when I realized there was a brake light issue.
Connection for my Gerbing's G3 heated gloves I just got this past weekend.
At least I can now still go for a ride tomorrow, now that I know the front brakes actuate the light perfectly.
Last edited by Steel Steed; Nov 21, 2011 at 10:45 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 234
Likes: 2
From: Southern NM
If you had the rear wheel removed, the mechanic might have messed up the adjustment of the rear brake pedal rod. Or there is a wire pinched somewhere. You can check the continuity of the rear brake switch to eliminate that....remove both wires and put an ohmmeter across the terminals...
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