Brake light switch meltdown
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,406
Likes: 5
From: Sunnyvale, Ca.
Another reason I went withOUT ABS and got rid of the CAT.
Sensor lasted 27k miles, never melted, was bad from heat - location location ,location...
Took me 20min. to change the Rear brake light sensor and bleed the rear brakes... $ 18.00
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,406
Likes: 5
From: Sunnyvale, Ca.
Hydraulic Brake Switch Fits all Big Twin models (except 1973 thru 1977 FX) from 1971 to present. and all SportsterŽ models from 1979 to present (replaces OEM 72023-51A)
http://www.cas4.com/brakes/brake-hardware-switches.html
http://www.cas4.com/index01.htm
Last edited by trackadaptor; May 17, 2011 at 07:18 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 182
Likes: 1
From: Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
Just happened on my '09. On another forum I found that a member used this one with good results.
J&P Cycle brake light switch
If Dawg is watching this, with all the failures, is there a service bulletin out for this?
J&P Cycle brake light switch
If Dawg is watching this, with all the failures, is there a service bulletin out for this?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,292
Likes: 2,427
From: Eastern NE
FYI, only CA models had CAT in '09, but I read/hear newer touring bikes have same brake switch issue(s) so it's just poor design/engineering. At least this is a cheap fix...
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 46
Ford had a recall on their deactivation switch that mounted into the master cylinder, it has 12V to it 24/7 & when the connection became loose& the switch started to leak brake fluid into the switch it would ignite the brake fluid. It could happen anytime, driving or parked. (I think it was Fords way of getting rid of them LOL) I think it has burned down over 550 of them. One was parked in a carport & burned down the truck, carport & his sons BMW. Hope this doesn't happen to any of the Harleys.
Toby
Toby
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
Just happened on my '09. On another forum I found that a member used this one with good results.
J&P Cycle brake light switch
If Dawg is watching this, with all the failures, is there a service bulletin out for this?
J&P Cycle brake light switch
If Dawg is watching this, with all the failures, is there a service bulletin out for this?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte Area
Mine went out 400 miles left in at 2700 mile trip. I had smelled some oil after parking the bike but never found a drip or any oil, of course, i wasn't looking at the brake switch, just around the oil filter, lines and drain plug. My dealer said he had never heard of a switch going bad before. Of course he also says my engine, which sounds like a pea thrasher is perfectly normal.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 761
Likes: 9
From: lewisville, nc
mine did not fail so to speak...but it did stick and the brake lights would come on by themselves, with the ignition in the acc position, and i lost cruise not long before i came onto this issue. finally traced it to the switch, but it was good, just bad connection, so alittle dielectric grease, and all was good.
