Brake light question
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 42
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From: Belleville MI
Brake light question
I know this probably isnt the right place for this question but this is where knowledgebase is for the older bikes. I have an 85 FLHT and Im pretty sure my brake light is stuck on, they do nothing when you hit the brakes. Any help would be appreciated, I hate electrical problems.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 234
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From: Courtenay, BC, Canada
If your brake light is stuck on, it's probably your switch housing not being close enough to your front brake lever. There is a normally closed switch that sticks out of the switch housing. A little lever on the brake lever housing holds it in (open position). When you use the front brake, the lever lets the switch out closing the circuit (light comes on). Sometimes the little lever gets worn out and starts walking around inside the housing, missing the switch. I had to drill a hole in the end of the lever and screw a small washer on to it. Fixed my problem.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,202
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
Or one of the two switches is shorted. Does that bike have anti-dive? I don't remember what year they started. Is there an air fitting on the crash bar? If so, is there a "click" from the front when you turn the power on? Also, make sure that both elements in the 1157 tail light bulb are lit, which will tell you for sure that the brake circuit is on.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Belleville MI
Or one of the two switches is shorted. Does that bike have anti-dive? I don't remember what year they started. Is there an air fitting on the crash bar? If so, is there a "click" from the front when you turn the power on? Also, make sure that both elements in the 1157 tail light bulb are lit, which will tell you for sure that the brake circuit is on.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,202
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
Well, sure sounds like your brake light circuit is engaged then. Try this: Reach underneath the right side of the bike for the two flag connectors on the pressure switch that screwed into the rear master cylinder. Pull the flag connectors off the switch and see if that changes anything. If not, I'd look at the front switch next.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 640
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From: Hickory, NC area
Had a similar problem when I bought mine used and finally found it was the front switch housing had just eased away from the lever. There was just about 1/4 inch gap in there and that was keeping the lever from holding the switch open when the lever was at rest. I'd sure take a close look there as it is a bit counter-intuitive.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,439
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From: NC USA
Had a similar problem when I bought mine used and finally found it was the front switch housing had just eased away from the lever. There was just about 1/4 inch gap in there and that was keeping the lever from holding the switch open when the lever was at rest. I'd sure take a close look there as it is a bit counter-intuitive.
I have that problem 5 out of 10 times I take that side apart for anything. Always my error. Position of the lever housing relative to the switch housing is very important
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