My brake light doesn't come on with the rear brake, did some troubleshooting and found that the rear brake light switch is bad. Checked it with an ohm meter and 0 continuity with the brakes on and the brake light comes on if you touch the two wires together.
So wanting to get this fixed today as I have a serious case of spring fever. I went down to the local NAPA store and picked up a switch, number sl147. It looks identical to the one currently in place but a note inside the box said it is not compatible with silicon brake fluid and I'm using dot 5. Reading on some of the forums and it said even the oem ones don't last if using dot 5 fluid. Does anyone have any recommendations on a particular switch that is dot 5 compatible
I use one from Autozone. Lifetime warranty. Has lasted longer than two of Harley's OEM. However, I never ever noticed it says no DOT 5. Interesting. However, they did do a search and said it said, Harley. However, I will need to look up numbers since when I search, their web site shows no Harley Parts.
This is the correct NAPA one. MC14011 Little pricey
AutoZone RB401 is what fits my 04. Mine is 10 years old. Paid $8. for it. It $12 now with a lifetime warranty.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; 03-09-2020 at 05:20 PM.
The one thing I've learned about Dot 5.0 is that it really likes to absorb moister. In the past I thought I had switch problems on several occasions but what it really turned out to be was a contaminated fluid and needing a good flush... Problem solved..
The one thing I've learned about Dot 5.0 is that it really likes to absorb moister. In the past I thought I had switch problems on several occasions but what it really turned out to be was a contaminated fluid and needing a good flush... Problem solved..
Hmmmm ... Dot 5 fluid is not hygroscopic .... which means it doesn't absorb moisture
Hmmmm ... Dot 5 fluid is not hygroscopic .... which means it doesn't absorb moisture
You are correct. I would imagine if you had a problem and got air in the line, that hydraulic switch would not work if the column of air is at it.
I also sent a question to the above manufacturer Echlin of the the switch that NAPA sells. And also to the NAPA web site. It's interesting but both answer back that the switch was compatible with any brake fluid. Go figure.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; 03-10-2020 at 06:47 AM.
03-08-2020, 06:41 PM
Rear brake light switch
