I own a 2005 electra gluide s.e. when opperating the front brake there is no brake light but there is with the rear, I have taken the switch from the front brake lever and it tested good, this also effects the cruse control because when the cruse is on the front brake will not cancel the cruse any idea where I should test next?

Thanks for all your input, this is what i've done. The suspect was the switch gone bad or ajustment, I puchased a new switch but before replacing it I removed the old switch cut the wires and tested the switch with a test light and it worked fine, I than touched the 2 wires together
and the light still didn't come on, so the switch is back in and the light still doesn't work, also the cruse control will not cancel when appling the front brake, but it will when the rear brake is applied. Help!!

 

check the little "spring" shim behind the switch to make sure its there. If its not the lever might not be pushing sufficiently on the switch. Those little bent pieces of metal are sure easy to lose if you aren't paying attention.

 

Make sure you didn't break the brake switch nipple in there. It may appear not to be broke unless you really look at it. I've replaced two of these within the past year.

 

10-4 on the little shim....when you say you tested the switch...I guess you mean by Ohm'ing it out and you see the contacts break when you push the button.

That leaves what HD Rider said...if the brake lever is pushing against the switch ball but the shim was (not put in, put in wrong. too weak) the ball is going to just push inside the switch housing and never hit it's detent position. Let us know.....

 

Also if you have done any "repositioning" of your hand lever controlls or maybe things got a lil loose....Make sure your brake lever is pushed up correctly against the switch housing where it's supposed to be. They kind of "Mate" into eachother but it is possible for you to have some space in there and it doesnt take much for the brake lever switch ball to loose it's proper position against the brake lever.

A simple test would be to grab a fist full of front brake to expose the switch ball and use a small (not sharp) object to push on the switch until you hear it click. Remember it's really kind of a micro switch so the click wont be loud but you will feel it your using to push against it.

 

this may sound simple but, make sure the housing that holeds the switch to the handlebars is tight. I had the same problem and It just needed a little tightening. Amazing how sensitve that little switch is

 

Thanks for all your input, this is what i've done. The suspect was the switch gone bad or ajustment, I puchased a new switch but before replacing it I removed the old switch cut the wires and tested the switch with a test light and it worked fine, I than touched the 2 wires together
and the light still didn't come on, so the switch is back in and the light still doesn't work, also the cruse control will not cancel when appling the front brake, but it will when the rear brake is applied. Help!!

Thanks again Cliff

 

if the light did not go on at all when you jumped the wires directly, it obviously not the switch, but most likely the wiring itself back to the tail light. If you are using the Run/Brake cross-over for your turnsignals, 'ive seen those go bad at times. Sounds like you are going to have to get your manual out and check the continuity in the wiring from the switch back to the tail light...thats what i would do anyway.

 

+1 on checking the continuity. Wring each wire out all the way back to the brake light and make sure they are good.

Report back so we can see how you made out.