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Brake light stays on

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Old Feb 6, 2013 | 02:18 PM
  #1  
DSScorp's Avatar
DSScorp
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From: Oklahoma
Default Brake light stays on

I have a 98 FLSTC. My brake light stays on all the time. i have replaced the rear pressure switch and that did not fix it. There are no turn signals and no electrical wires on the handlebars so the front switch isn't even wired in. I have tested both wires leading to pressure switch and they both have continuos power. When you press the pedal there is no change. I have looked through the service manual and followed all wiring throughout the bike and cannot find an issue. I have even drained all brake fluid from rear brake and it stayed on. Any ideas??
 
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Old Feb 6, 2013 | 04:22 PM
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kizzletruck
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From: Ramsey, Minnesota
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Do you have a dual filament bulb in the tail lamp? I had the same issue on a Honda I used to have. Have you made sure that nothing is grounding out? I am working through an issue right now with my Night Train that has a tombstone tail light (pretty sure it is related to the front brake switch). Electrical gremlins are the worst.
 
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Old Feb 6, 2013 | 04:48 PM
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Warren9073
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I had the same issue with my 12 Fatboy under warrenty. The problem was the front brake master cylinder. When I released the brake the cylinder didn't return all the way so did not release the switch. There was play in the handle. Do you have play in your brake pedal?
 
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Old Feb 6, 2013 | 06:43 PM
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snip0721
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From: trivoli illinois
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onlt one of the two wires at the switch should be hot. the other shouldnt be hot till the switch is accivated. your getting power to the "cold" side from somewhere. i'd guess something at/to the taillight....hard to diagnose over the phone....steve
 
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Old Feb 7, 2013 | 08:23 AM
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imrotton2
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From: nw alabama
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if you pull one wire off the rear brake switch, and the lite goes out, that is problem .... if lite stays on , start looking around the wires you terminated for the front brake switch
 
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Old Feb 7, 2013 | 08:29 AM
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phanowel
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From: Tallahassee, FL
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Originally Posted by Warren9073
I had the same issue with my 12 Fatboy under warrenty. The problem was the front brake master cylinder. When I released the brake the cylinder didn't return all the way so did not release the switch. There was play in the handle. Do you have play in your brake pedal?
^
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This, happening to me. I've replaced the front master, and it is still happening, so I guess I am going to replace the caliper. (Yes, I installed speed bleeders and have bled the system properly.)
 
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Old Feb 7, 2013 | 09:08 AM
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Light is an LED light. Mounts on the side down low. I can unplug both wires from the pressure switch and it still stays on. That's what led me to think it may have something to do with the front brake switch. Since front switch is not wired in dont see how that could cause my problem. Light was working a couple weeks ago. It just now started all this.
 
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Old Feb 7, 2013 | 11:53 AM
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Benway
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From: Dayton
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Is this not the switch that sits inside the right hand brake caliper? The little tit has probably broke off. I had the same issue. Had to do this:

 
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Old Feb 7, 2013 | 01:07 PM
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jay72
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From: Corning, Ohio
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If you unplug both wires from the pressure switch and the light stays on, I would think that there is power going to the light from the ground side. I concur with others in that you should start looking in the direction of the termination point of the front brake wiring. Stick a VOM on both leads after unplugging from the pressure switch to see it there is continuity on both wires, switch off of course. If there is, trace the ground wire back and somewhere along the wiring you will find a short. From what you are describing, it should pop a fuse.
 
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Old Feb 7, 2013 | 08:45 PM
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From: Oklahoma
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I have tested both wires while being unplugged from the switch. I will check the ground tomorrow and see if there is a short somewhere. A buddy said it could be something with the bulb itself but since its an LED light I don't think that's an issue. I just spent 16 hours working on it last week tryin to fix an issue that was believed to be electronic ignition and ended up being the carburetor. Maybe I pinched a wire somewhere. I'm gonna drop the tanks AGAIN and recheck all the wiring. I'll find where the wire harnes is supposed to be hooked up for front brake light and see if it is looped somehow. I appreciate everyone's help and will let everyone know tomorrow what I find.
 
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