Need electrical expert help please...
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
Need electrical expert help please...
I have an intermittent brake light problem that just started yesterday on my '07 Ultra. Yesterday I noticed that my cruise wouldn't engage. My first thought was brake light and I was right, the brake light was stuck on. When I would turn off the ignition, then back on again, and apply the front brake there was no problem, apply the rear brake and it would stick on. I assumed I had a bad rear brake light switch. No big deal.
Fast forward to today, I go out this morning and can't get it to stick. After riding for an hour or so, sure enough, it's stuck. I ride straight to the closest dealer and show the service writer. This time though, applying EITHER brake will cause it to stick on. They roll it in to wait for an available tech, takes about 1/2 hour to get it in the back. Normal operation, cannot duplicate the problem. WTF do the front and rear brake switches have in common besides the darn bulb? And why is it not happening all the time? Ideas?
Fast forward to today, I go out this morning and can't get it to stick. After riding for an hour or so, sure enough, it's stuck. I ride straight to the closest dealer and show the service writer. This time though, applying EITHER brake will cause it to stick on. They roll it in to wait for an available tech, takes about 1/2 hour to get it in the back. Normal operation, cannot duplicate the problem. WTF do the front and rear brake switches have in common besides the darn bulb? And why is it not happening all the time? Ideas?
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 516
Likes: 29
From: Fenton, MO
You said that the brake light switch was stuck this morning. Did you actually look at the switch and see that it was physically stuck or did you just see that the brake light was still on after you let go of the brake pedal?
I find it hard to believe that both the front and rear switches are failing at the same time. Both switches ultimately feed power through the same wire to the brake light. My guess is that you have some frayed or pinchen wires in the harness that feeds the brake light.
Do you have a Run/Turn/ Brake modual? If so, it may be failing or thwireing for it may be the source of the short.
I find it hard to believe that both the front and rear switches are failing at the same time. Both switches ultimately feed power through the same wire to the brake light. My guess is that you have some frayed or pinchen wires in the harness that feeds the brake light.
Do you have a Run/Turn/ Brake modual? If so, it may be failing or thwireing for it may be the source of the short.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
You said that the brake light switch was stuck this morning. Did you actually look at the switch and see that it was physically stuck or did you just see that the brake light was still on after you let go of the brake pedal?
I find it hard to believe that both the front and rear switches are failing at the same time. Both switches ultimately feed power through the same wire to the brake light. My guess is that you have some frayed or pinchen wires in the harness that feeds the brake light.
Do you have a Run/Turn/ Brake modual? If so, it may be failing or thwireing for it may be the source of the short.
I find it hard to believe that both the front and rear switches are failing at the same time. Both switches ultimately feed power through the same wire to the brake light. My guess is that you have some frayed or pinchen wires in the harness that feeds the brake light.
Do you have a Run/Turn/ Brake modual? If so, it may be failing or thwireing for it may be the source of the short.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 866
Likes: 2
From: Pocahontas, IL
Is it possible your controls have wiggled/moved just a bit? Just making sure the front brake lever is holding the brake switch in all the way. I am sure you know this but the lever has to hold that plunger all the way down or the brake light will kick on with the slightest movement. I ran into this after my bar change. I could bump the handlebars the the brake light would stay on.
Last edited by bellgnte; Sep 1, 2010 at 06:51 AM.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
Is it possible your controls have wiggled/moved just a bit? Just making sure the front brake lever is holding the brake switch in all the way. I am sure you know this but the lever has to hold that plunger all the way down or the brake light will kick on with the slightest movement
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,535
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From: Salem, Va.
Have you replaced the levers or had them off? If so and you didn't shim front brake lever like the srervice manual states then you've screwed up your front brake light switch. It's fun to replace.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
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From: Bellevue, NE
Nope, last time they were apart was many thousand miles ago. My gut says brake relay, that's where I'll start.