Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection Need advice on ignition issues? Questions about a tuner? Have questions about a EFI calibration or Fuel Injection? Tips on Engine Diagnostics, how to get codes, and what they mean. Find your answers here.

brake light

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 11, 2008 | 07:39 PM
  #1  
rsnky62's Avatar
rsnky62
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Lexington,Ky
Default brake light

Hello, soI am not that bright,butI do have alot of fun,I two questions,I have a 1990 Electra Glide, 1st question:does the brake light suppose to be lit when I used the the right hand front brake, ? And the 2nd question is whenI used the foot brake light does come on,but the voltage drops quite abit,so doI have a ground problem or a short in the brake switches,iring etc.? Thanks in advance
 
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2008 | 03:23 PM
  #2  
E ticket's Avatar
E ticket
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Southern Utah
Default RE: brake light

Brake light should come on when using the hand brake lever and it sounds like you have a ground issue. Is the brake light /voltage drop the same with the hand brake? Check your grounds first.
 
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2008 | 04:19 PM
  #3  
rsnky62's Avatar
rsnky62
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Lexington,Ky
Default RE: brake light

no, nothing happens, just the footpedal,any ideal where to start looking,at the lever or at the brake light ?
 
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2008 | 05:44 PM
  #4  
E ticket's Avatar
E ticket
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Southern Utah
Default RE: brake light

I'm not sure how the pedal vs. hand brake are wired but I think that if the hand works and the foot does not, I would suspect it's in the foot circuit ground. I think if it were in the brake light ground circuit , both would react the same........but you never know with electrical! Check the light ground while you are at it....just for the halibut. Hope this helps. Good luck
 
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2008 | 07:19 PM
  #5  
rsnky62's Avatar
rsnky62
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Lexington,Ky
Default RE: brake light

i took the hand brake at the handle bar apart their is no wires going to the lever at all,did find a problem with the recifer,the ground was barley put on the termal,so do you think the tail light may b another place to check as well,i thank you for all information.you have been a great help
 
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2008 | 08:01 PM
  #6  
E ticket's Avatar
E ticket
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Southern Utah
Default RE: brake light

Tighten up all loose wires and check the brake light connections and ground. When you say voltage drops are you looking at a guage or because the light shins dim? Keep plugging, you'll get it!
 
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2008 | 07:09 PM
  #7  
rsnky62's Avatar
rsnky62
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Lexington,Ky
Default RE: brake light

LOOKING AT THE GUAGE,BUT AFTER PUTTING A METER ON THE BATTERY AT ON A FULL LOAD,BRAKES,RADIO,LIGHTS,BLINKERS,ETC. I REALIZE NOW MY GUAGE IS OFF BAD,I DO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP. I AM HEADING TO BIKE WEEK AT THE END OF THE MONTH AN I WANT TO SPEND TIME RIDING INSTEAD OF SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THANKS AGAIN.
 
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2008 | 08:11 PM
  #8  
E ticket's Avatar
E ticket
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Southern Utah
Default RE: brake light

Glad to be of help to you! Ride safe and have fun!!
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 02:54 PM
  #9  
Tbird's Avatar
Tbird
Novice
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: brake light

I have a 1993 electra glide and mine also has the same problem. My brake light does not come on with the hand brake and I spoke to a harley mechanic and he told me that it sounds like the switch in the lever is bad. I haven't torn it apart yet to see if he is right or not.
I also have the voltage dropwhen the foot brake is applied (and lights dim also) and also when I turn my turn signals on the voltmeter will fluxuate along with the lights as they blink.
I've seen alot of people who posted on this forum that have electra glides around the same year as oursand havethe same problems as we have but neverseen a post if anybody was able to find a fix for it.
I also spoke to the same harley mechanic about this problem and hetold me it was normal forthe early 90's electra glides. (doesn't sound right to me though for this to be normal)

Let me know if you find a fix or not for yours. Thanks........
 
Reply
Old May 2, 2010 | 10:44 PM
  #10  
jgcable's Avatar
jgcable
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 848
Likes: 8
From:
Default

Originally Posted by Tbird
I have a 1993 electra glide and mine also has the same problem. My brake light does not come on with the hand brake and I spoke to a harley mechanic and he told me that it sounds like the switch in the lever is bad. I haven't torn it apart yet to see if he is right or not.
I also have the voltage dropwhen the foot brake is applied (and lights dim also) and also when I turn my turn signals on the voltmeter will fluxuate along with the lights as they blink.
I've seen alot of people who posted on this forum that have electra glides around the same year as oursand havethe same problems as we have but neverseen a post if anybody was able to find a fix for it.
I also spoke to the same harley mechanic about this problem and hetold me it was normal forthe early 90's electra glides. (doesn't sound right to me though for this to be normal)

Let me know if you find a fix or not for yours. Thanks........


On my 1990 FLHTCU, when I first bought it the radio would turn off if I used the front brake. Can you believe that after changing the stator and the regulator it still did it. The Harley dealership told the previous owner that its normal and that all the old EVO's do that.
I cleaned all the grounds under the fairing and replaced the relays and it no longer turns off but I still get a heck of a fluctuation on my voltmeter if I apply the brakes (especially the front brake because the anti-dive solenoid engages) or if I use the left and right blinkers.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sorensentyler
Sportster Models
40
Aug 4, 2014 08:24 PM
woodster54
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
0
Sep 24, 2012 08:50 PM
jumboshrimpster
Dyna Glide Models
1
Mar 30, 2010 03:05 PM
moblmowr
Dyna Glide Models
0
Feb 29, 2008 08:00 PM
Skip
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
1
Aug 12, 2006 01:48 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:58 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE