Dim rear brake light
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 104
Likes: 3
From: North Ridgeville, OH
Dim rear brake light
89 fxstc all stock.
My rear brake light at first doesn't light at all. then as you pump the rear brake the light will eventually get brighter. I'm clueless.
My rear brake light at first doesn't light at all. then as you pump the rear brake the light will eventually get brighter. I'm clueless.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 47
Likes: 3
From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
Follow the rear brake line until you find the rear brake switch. It will have two AMP plugs on it. Pull them off and carefully push in a straightened paper clip. It's the two wires you are shorting together not the switch itself. Make sure the paper clip isn't touching any other part of the bike and switch on the ignition. If the lamp is nice and bright you don't have a fault in your brake light circuit. Could need bleeding through or it may be a faulty switch.
If your brakes haven't been bled through in the last 5 years that needs doing anyway. When I say bleed them through, you need to keep bleeding until the new fluid comes out of the bleed nipple.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,435
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From: Beyond Fucital
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 47
Likes: 3
From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
To be honest my gut tells me that it's a bad earth, frayed or broken wire, bad contact in the multi-plug, corroded bulb housing, corroded bulb. On a 1989 bike they are the usual suspects.
Would be interesting to see if this is a hydraulic problem. After decades messing with Harleys I'm still learning.
Would be interesting to see if this is a hydraulic problem. After decades messing with Harleys I'm still learning.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,116
Likes: 7,640
From: Poolville
He says when he pumps it, it will light. Same exact thing happens to mine when moisture gets in the system over time. The cover on these rear master cylinders tend to warp allowing moisture in over time... I've had this happen twice to mine over the 15 years of owning my Softail....
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 104
Likes: 3
From: North Ridgeville, OH
Front brake (lever) is as bright as rudolf's nose. Pedal only is the issue. I will try to bypass the switch when I get home. If it is as bright as the lever I will flush brakes and if that doesn't work I'll swap out the switch. I'll keep you guys posted.