Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Rear brake pedel not illuminating brake light

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 22, 2011 | 11:31 AM
  #1  
rolodog's Avatar
rolodog
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
Default Rear brake pedel not illuminating brake light

Only my front brake lever lights my brake light. The dealer says a $25.00 solenoid is probably the culprit (one hour labor). Any one have this issue before?
 
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2011 | 04:10 PM
  #2  
black2000's Avatar
black2000
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: virginia
Default

Hey, hows it going i had this problem about two months ago i lucked out the the wires had come off. Sorry that probably doesnt help but it looks as if it would some what easier with the battery out. Good luck.
 
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2011 | 04:15 PM
  #3  
rolodog's Avatar
rolodog
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
Default

Black2000...where are the wires? Are they near the rear brake lever or closer to the rear wheel?
 
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2011 | 04:25 PM
  #4  
TennesseeMustangPerf's Avatar
TennesseeMustangPerf
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,828
Likes: 8
Default

Check the voltage at the light, then follow forward. Find out where you are getting voltage, and there is your problem. In other words, no voltage at the light, move to the solenoid. No voltage there, move on to the switch. If you have voltage at the switch, it is the solenoid.
 
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2011 | 08:25 PM
  #5  
FlyinJ's Avatar
FlyinJ
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From:
Default

Probably pressure switch close to rear resevoir. I had 2 harley ones go out before switching to a drag specialties one.
 
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2011 | 08:28 PM
  #6  
gilmour68's Avatar
gilmour68
Road Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 20
From: NE Pennsylvania
Default

Originally Posted by FlyinJ
Probably pressure switch close to rear resevoir. I had 2 harley ones go out before switching to a drag specialties one.

+1. I've changed several that have failed.
 
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2011 | 08:36 PM
  #7  
JohnnyC's Avatar
JohnnyC
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
Default

Same trouble:

My back brake pressure switch is probably all that's wrong with mine too.

I just make sure to also use my front brake all the time.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
99octane
Dyna Glide Models
10
Aug 29, 2017 03:08 AM
Madmike76
Electrical/Lighting/Alarm
4
May 10, 2016 05:15 AM
blackbike
EVO
9
Dec 17, 2014 06:30 PM
mrush1130
Sportster Models
8
Sep 22, 2013 10:08 AM
Kmarc86
Dyna Glide Models
1
Aug 31, 2013 09:57 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:53 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE