brake switch question

Closed Thread Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 6, 2008 | 08:20 PM

pwer pla

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 403

Likes: 0

From: Grand Island NE

brake switch question

Ok fellowharley lovers I have a question for you. Just finishing up a bunch of mods on my 07 WG. Of those were new bars and panacea taillight. Everything is working great except there seems to be a prob with my taillight. The taillight is constantly on like I am on the brakes. If I jiggle the brake lever I can get it to shut off momentarially. I know there is a small switch in the right switch housing that controls the brake light. When I took them apart to change bars I did as the service manual said and put a piece of cardboard between the brake lever and the housing, but my question is did I damage the switch or is it not seated right or is it something else. I didn't have the energy left to tear the housing apart again tonight but any ideas about this prob would be appreciated. Also if it is the switch how hard is it to change it out and does anyone have an idea of how much it costs. Thanks for any info.

Mar 6, 2008 | 08:27 PM

stro1965

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 10,602

Likes: 721

From: Bellevue, NE

RE: brake switch question

Replacing it is kind of a pain. You should be able to look at the switch and see if it broke. Very short wires and very little room to work. If you don't have a soldering gun you'll need one. And shrink tube.

Mar 6, 2008 | 08:36 PM

jbnl163

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 2,115

Likes: 1

From: CA

RE: brake switch question

Sounds like you may have re-assembled it slightly off. Take it apart and activate the switch with your finger. That will tell you if it's still working. If it is, try reassembling it carefully, as it is kind of touchy.

Mar 6, 2008 | 09:31 PM

MarkM

Tourer

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 329

Likes: 1

From: Oldsmar, FL

RE: brake switch question

I just replaced one in my WG. Wasn't too terrible, but then I've had the control apart a few times before this. The switch was about $25 at the dealer, and yes you really need to solder the wires. There's no room in there to put any kind of connectors.

Mar 7, 2008 | 10:33 PM

pwer pla

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 403

Likes: 0

From: Grand Island NE

RE: brake switch question

Ok here is the latest update, I took the housing apart and checked the switch today and it works fine. Then took out the little clip that holds the switch in place and rebent it to make it fit a little tighter. Reassembled and seemed to work better. Fired up the bike and once again I am getting intermittent flashes depending on the brake lever position. Here is my assessment of what is going on and my potential fix for the prob. I installed 16 in bars and they have more vibration at idle than the previous bars, so I think that I need a little tighter fit for the brake lever against the switch. Tomorrow I am going to take it all apart (again) and wrap the end of the brake lever that contacts the switch with some electrical tape to bulid it up a little and decrease the potential vibration effect on the switch. Does this make sense or is there a better cure. Any help would be appreciated, I'm getting tired of taking this thing apart would rather be riding. Thanks

Mar 7, 2008 | 11:16 PM

screwball

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 2,334

Likes: 107

From: Santa Clarita, So. Cal. & Bullhead City, Az.

RE: brake switch question

What Mark and Stro said, replace the switch, or have it done. You Mickey Mouse it now and at the worst moment it will fail again, and there is an equipment ticket for no break lights.

Back in my bad boy days we used to clip the wire on the front breaks so we could stop and not turn on the light. Still had the rear break working in case of hassle inspections.

Mar 8, 2008 | 06:57 AM

MarkM

Tourer

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 329

Likes: 1

From: Oldsmar, FL

RE: brake switch question

Sounds like you're already good at taking the control apart, so just spring for the new switch and be done with it. I don't think I've ever fixed anything permanently with electrical tape (although I've tried many times!

)