More electrical problems!!!
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, IL
More electrical problems!!!
well I get my bike 99% back together yesterday (I finaly got all my parts) then I noticed when I turn my ingnition switch on my brake lights come on and stay on & when I hit the brakes nothing. Well I figured it was from the wiring on the new apes so I disconected the wires from the right side of the bars & the tail lights dim to the level they are suppose to be & when I hit the brakes the brake lights come on & off like they are suppose to. All the wires are where they are suppose to be. I am thinking I might have a short on the one side I really do not want to take the bars off & pull the wires to see if there is a short. Any ideas would be helpfull.
sorry about the spelling.
sorry about the spelling.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 11
From: El Paso, Texas
Check Your front brake switch. Did You Have the lever off? If so, did you use a cardboard spacer during removal/installation? If not the switch could have been broken. Don't ask how I know.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,006
Likes: 1,240
From: On the Front Range, CO
If I remember right, there's a little "tab" that is installed against the brake lever switch inside the control housing on the handle bars. I think it's intended use is to keep the brake switch from activating the brake lights while the lever is not being applied. I can't remember exactly how it was mounted, or even what it really looks like, but I think it is like a piece of metal bent like a "V". Maybe that piece isn't there or installed correctly?
Just a thought, I'm sure you have the controls installed correctly.
Good luck!
Just a thought, I'm sure you have the controls installed correctly.
Good luck!
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: SI,NY.
well I get my bike 99% back together yesterday (I finaly got all my parts) then I noticed when I turn my ingnition switch on my brake lights come on and stay on & when I hit the brakes nothing. Well I figured it was from the wiring on the new apes so I disconected the wires from the right side of the bars & the tail lights dim to the level they are suppose to be & when I hit the brakes the brake lights come on & off like they are suppose to. All the wires are where they are suppose to be. I am thinking I might have a short on the one side I really do not want to take the bars off & pull the wires to see if there is a short. Any ideas would be helpfull.
sorry about the spelling.
sorry about the spelling.
u probably broke brake switch
+1 This is always the best place to start
Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,706
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From: Woodstock, Ont , Can
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 690
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From: B-More ,Md
Most Harley use a Release to light Switch. In other words the Lever in normal position is Pushing on the switch and Opens it to keeps the Brake light OFF. When you pull the Lever the Switch the switch depresses and makes contact.
So when you Brake that switch by not using the Shim it pushes into the switch housing and remains depressed thus giving you juice to the Brake.
Should be an easy check just pull the Lever look for the switch and push it with a piece of wood or plastic to see if the Brake light goes off.
So when you Brake that switch by not using the Shim it pushes into the switch housing and remains depressed thus giving you juice to the Brake.
Should be an easy check just pull the Lever look for the switch and push it with a piece of wood or plastic to see if the Brake light goes off.
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Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,706
Likes: 7
From: Woodstock, Ont , Can
Most Harley use a Release to light Switch. In other words the Lever in normal position is Pushing on the switch and Opens it to keeps the Brake light OFF. When you pull the Lever the Switch the switch depresses and makes contact.
So when you Brake that switch by not using the Shim it pushes into the switch housing and remains depressed thus giving you juice to the Brake.
Should be an easy check just pull the Lever look for the switch and push it with a piece of wood or plastic to see if the Brake light goes off.
So when you Brake that switch by not using the Shim it pushes into the switch housing and remains depressed thus giving you juice to the Brake.
Should be an easy check just pull the Lever look for the switch and push it with a piece of wood or plastic to see if the Brake light goes off.
. My mind had arranged the components in the wrong direction.Ron
Last edited by rbabos; Feb 20, 2010 at 01:59 PM.