brake light issue
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
brake light issue
my brake light is not coming on when i use my front brake, but working fine for the rear brake. i have checked the fuses and everything is good, so i am thinking it's a bad pressure switch up front.
any other thoughts before i pull the trigger on ordering a new one and putting it in, anything that i am not thinking of that could be causing it
thanks
db
any other thoughts before i pull the trigger on ordering a new one and putting it in, anything that i am not thinking of that could be causing it
thanks
db
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Before taking anything apart, make sure that the light switch fails when the bike is running. My front brake switch doesn't work when the bike's not running, but is fine when KOER (key on engine running). No idea why, but it may be a common thing.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,225
Likes: 4
From: fegfsg
front switch goes bad often, new one will too. bad design on the contacts inside, try cleaning with electrical parts cleaner, its not a pressure switch.
your going to deal with this many times, some people forget about it and use the rear only for the life of the bike, comes with the territory.
your going to deal with this many times, some people forget about it and use the rear only for the life of the bike, comes with the territory.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
i am actually not super worried about the light not working from a riding perspective, i am more worried about the bike not passing inspection without the front brake activating the brake light
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 933
Likes: 1
From:
Did you change the grips?Forget the little cardboard piece?There is a certain pattern for tightening the housing screws as well.If you don't follow it the switch may not work.I had mine apart quite a few times to get it to work again reliably.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
what is pattern you reference for the tightening the housing screws? there are only 2, i can't imagine the pattern really makes all that much of a difference as long as the brake/master cylinder housing is tight/flush against grip housing
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 198
Likes: 2
From: MD
If you have a service manual, it details the specifics for removing/installing the switch - if you don't use the piece of cardboard to keep the actuator on the brake lever outta the way, you'll break the new switch - ask me how I know this. Switch is about $20.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
The switch has a tiny plastic piece that protrudes through a rubber boot. The brake lever has a point that pushes on that plastic piece. When you pull the lever it lets the switch out, turning the light on. If you break that tiny plastic piece off the switch (because you were changing grips, switch housings, etc.), the brake light stays on. Happened to me once - right after I succesfully ran my wires inside my handlebars. I really didn't want to take my bars all apart so I cut the head off a 10 penny nail and epoxied it to the rubber boot. Ghetto, but it still works like a champ after two years.
Sounds like you got a bad switch/loose wire, not a broken piece.
Sounds like you got a bad switch/loose wire, not a broken piece.
