brake light problem
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 19
From: Dayton
I've got the same issue. Probably the pressure switch for the rear brake. Follow your rear brake line back and you'll run into it. I haven't trouble shot mine yet, but that has to be the problem.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 115
From: Boston, MA
Same here, I got a factory switch in the basement waiting for the snow to kill the 2012 riding season, mine I gotta take off the exhaust to make it fairly easy.
Sneak your onto the switch and inspect that in fact both cables are on the spade connectors, which is on the actual switch. If they're there then take them both off and stick a jumper, a paper clip, anything to connect to the two wires together and you SHOULD see the lights brighten, ie the brake light came on. If the light is not coming on the re is a break in the brake wiring which is highly unlikely. If and when the light come on spend the money at the dealership because the switches at auto zone are zinc and will rust because they are exposed to water when riding in inclement weather.
Sneak your onto the switch and inspect that in fact both cables are on the spade connectors, which is on the actual switch. If they're there then take them both off and stick a jumper, a paper clip, anything to connect to the two wires together and you SHOULD see the lights brighten, ie the brake light came on. If the light is not coming on the re is a break in the brake wiring which is highly unlikely. If and when the light come on spend the money at the dealership because the switches at auto zone are zinc and will rust because they are exposed to water when riding in inclement weather.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 19
From: Dayton
Originally Posted by Tee⋁10344256
Same here, I got a factory switch in the basement waiting for the snow to kill the 2012 riding season, mine I gotta take off the exhaust to make it fairly easy.
Sneak your onto the switch and inspect that in fact both cables are on the spade connectors, which is on the actual switch. If they're there then take them both off and stick a jumper, a paper clip, anything to connect to the two wires together and you SHOULD see the lights brighten, ie the brake light came on. If the light is not coming on the re is a break in the brake wiring which is highly unlikely. If and when the light come on spend the money at the dealership because the switches at auto zone are zinc and will rust because they are exposed to water when riding in inclement weather.
Sneak your onto the switch and inspect that in fact both cables are on the spade connectors, which is on the actual switch. If they're there then take them both off and stick a jumper, a paper clip, anything to connect to the two wires together and you SHOULD see the lights brighten, ie the brake light came on. If the light is not coming on the re is a break in the brake wiring which is highly unlikely. If and when the light come on spend the money at the dealership because the switches at auto zone are zinc and will rust because they are exposed to water when riding in inclement weather.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Culpeper, VA
Have the same problem and actually stumbled upon half-assed temporary fix. If you're currently running a conventional bulb in your brake light throw in a cheap LED and you may be getting enough amps to it to light it up. Turns out when I replaced my cracked tail light assembly it came with a cheapo LCD bulb. Shockingly the damn thing works now.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 19
From: Dayton
Determined that my rear brake light pressure switch is bad. Question is, how the hell do you get it out of there? There's like no clearance and I can't even get a wrench on it... I can see it, but it's nestled so tight against the frame.... maybe a shaved down deep socket...
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 115
From: Boston, MA
Crow feet wrench head maybe? But a pair of water pump pliers may do, a basin wrench if you're bike is on a lift. I gotta take my exhaust off to make it less painful. Some hero will say they did it without removal but they are a contortionist.
Bleeding brakes? Flame suit on>>>>
Fill a Dixie with brake fluid and drop switch inside, notice air bubbles escape, remove connectors, stop get up and limber up then crack knuckles, remove brake switch drop on floor take new switch and screw it in. Reconnect everything then take it down the block and see squishiness or sponginess of pedal. If you notice no difference, realize that this is your life, then you're done. If pedal is not satisfactory then you gotta bleed brakes.
We're not talking about much fluid loss but maybe an ml or two...
Bon chance!
Bleeding brakes? Flame suit on>>>>
Fill a Dixie with brake fluid and drop switch inside, notice air bubbles escape, remove connectors, stop get up and limber up then crack knuckles, remove brake switch drop on floor take new switch and screw it in. Reconnect everything then take it down the block and see squishiness or sponginess of pedal. If you notice no difference, realize that this is your life, then you're done. If pedal is not satisfactory then you gotta bleed brakes.
We're not talking about much fluid loss but maybe an ml or two...
Bon chance!
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 26
From: Florida
Determined that my rear brake light pressure switch is bad. Question is, how the hell do you get it out of there? There's like no clearance and I can't even get a wrench on it... I can see it, but it's nestled so tight against the frame.... maybe a shaved down deep socket...
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Get out a volt meter and start testing wires. Check at the brake switch when you apply pressure again at the like when applied. I had to to this on cars for the brake kill on remote starts. Many car had bad brake switches. It could be the a ground wire for the switch, bad switch, or the wires just came lose. I don't have much experience with bikes but the idea is the same. Hope this helps with all the other comments from the rest of the group.