Rear brake light will not turn off???

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Jun 9, 2014 | 05:34 AM

mgoldade

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Intermediate

Joined: Oct 2013

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From: North Bay, ON Canada

Rear brake light will not turn off???

So the other day I noticed I didn't have a rear brake light. I changed the bulb and the brake light is on constantly. This is a brand new occurrence for me. I took a test light and checked the blue and the red/yellow wires and both are getting power constantly. I moved up to the harness under the seat and tested the connections there and the red/yellow still has constant power. I followed the red/yellow in the loom to just before the gas tank and pierced the plastic to test the wire with the test light again and it still has power. I found the brake switch down by the gear box and tested it by pulling off the red/yellow and putting the test lead on the point that the red/yellow would connect to, no power. I pressed the brake and it had power. I checked the red/yellow wire at the brake switch and it had constant power. So, looks like the brake switch is fine...
Next I think I will have to check the red/yellow at the r/h switch housing on the handlebar.
Any other ideas? Has anyone else had this issue? If so, what was the problem? Could I have pinched the wire when I changed my hand grips?

Jun 9, 2014 | 05:51 AM

Iceman24

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 25,306

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From: Eastern NE

Did you "shim" the little brake switch when changing grips...?? If not, you probably broke it...just need to get replacement and swap it out.

Jun 9, 2014 | 06:10 AM

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2012

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From: Centennial, CO

Or didn't get it back in place properly. Persnickety little buggers.

Jun 9, 2014 | 06:41 AM

mgoldade

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Joined: Oct 2013

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From: North Bay, ON Canada

MSgt,
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll pull it apart tonight and have a look at it. I just found another thread WRT fixing it with a #4 screw.

03 FXSTB Night Train (100th Anniversary Edition)
RCAF, Cpl

Jun 9, 2014 | 11:42 AM

Ash16

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 2,105

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From: Rowlett, Texas

You might try pulling the wire on your rear brake switch to see if your light goes out. If it does then your rear brake switch is bad. When that happened to me I just left it disconnected until I could get a new one. It still works when using your front brake and I use both at the same time anyways.