Cruise control-HELP!
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 770
Likes: 1
From: Coeur d' alene, Idaho
Cruise control-HELP!
I have a 2011 RKC with fly by wire throttle. Last summer I tore the end of the throttle grip so I replaced it. No problem, 5 minute job.
Now my cruise control set switch on the right side does not work. I have power from the left side control because the indicator light comes on but I can not get it to actuate. Did I screw something up. I checked the service manual and it looks like it is just an electrical switch that would be hard to screw up. But it worked before I changed the throttle grip and does not now.
Any help would be appreciated.
Now my cruise control set switch on the right side does not work. I have power from the left side control because the indicator light comes on but I can not get it to actuate. Did I screw something up. I checked the service manual and it looks like it is just an electrical switch that would be hard to screw up. But it worked before I changed the throttle grip and does not now.
Any help would be appreciated.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 770
Likes: 1
From: Coeur d' alene, Idaho
Copyless:
You da man!! I went and tested it and when I apply the brake the light comes on but it does not go off when I release it for maybe 15 minutes. Now what do I do?
You da man!! I went and tested it and when I apply the brake the light comes on but it does not go off when I release it for maybe 15 minutes. Now what do I do?
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 17
From: San Jose
When you remove the two screws and open the switch housing to remove the grip you have to take care with the brake light switch. It is very easy to brake the switch.
Probably time to inspect the switch.
Probably time to inspect the switch.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 770
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From: Coeur d' alene, Idaho
Man you guys are great. When I wiggle the brake lever it becomes apparent that the brake light switch is not releasing all the way. I pulled off the top switch cover and it looks like there is a copper spring that needs to press against the switch to keep it tight against the brake lever. I am going to try and reposition it to see if that solves the problem. The switch is working properly its just not getting the proper amount of pressure from the brake lever when it is released to disengage the brake light.
Got to go run an errand now but will take a crack at it this afternoon and will advise.
That is why this forum is so great. If not for you guys, I would have had to ride an hour to the dealer for a 10 minute fix.
Got to go run an errand now but will take a crack at it this afternoon and will advise.
That is why this forum is so great. If not for you guys, I would have had to ride an hour to the dealer for a 10 minute fix.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 2,875
From: Oklahoma
There USED TO BE a little plastic button on the end of the switch where it contacted the brake lever and it is very easy to break off. (Personal experience). There are several ways to "fix" this, the official way is to replace the switch. What I did was go to the hardware store and buy a very small nylon bolt with a wide head, cut the head off the bolt and glue the head to the end of the switch plunger using weather strip adhesive. This most easily done if you remove the brake lever for access. The other option, which I didn't want to do, is to remove the brake lever and drill a hole in it where the switch contacts the lever and screw in a small screw so the screw head takes up the space of the now missing plastic button from the switch plunger.
I understand the replacement switch runs around $60 from the dealer and requires some soldering and then stuffing the wires into a small space, rather tedious. If you decide to have the switch replaced "professionally", you will find that the service manual would have been less expensive and might have saved you from this common mistake.
Leaving it as is will probably cause your brake lights to flash randomly with vibration and road shock and will confuse those behind you. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.
ONE OTHER possibility, not very likely, there is a small V shaped sheet metal spring inside the switch box which pushes the brake light switch tightly against the side of the switch box. If that fell out, the switch will no longer be in the correct position and will cause the same problem.
I understand the replacement switch runs around $60 from the dealer and requires some soldering and then stuffing the wires into a small space, rather tedious. If you decide to have the switch replaced "professionally", you will find that the service manual would have been less expensive and might have saved you from this common mistake.
Leaving it as is will probably cause your brake lights to flash randomly with vibration and road shock and will confuse those behind you. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.
ONE OTHER possibility, not very likely, there is a small V shaped sheet metal spring inside the switch box which pushes the brake light switch tightly against the side of the switch box. If that fell out, the switch will no longer be in the correct position and will cause the same problem.
Last edited by btsom; Apr 13, 2013 at 10:10 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 770
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From: Coeur d' alene, Idaho
Yup, I can see the V spring in the bottom of the switch housing and the switch is rotated so I am sure that is the problem. I remember fixing this on a softail I had years ago. The big problem is trying to get all this in position with my old sausage fingers. I remember it was the most frustrating thing I had ever dealt with since my first experience with a bra clasp!
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 770
Likes: 1
From: Coeur d' alene, Idaho
Great advice guys, Fixed!! When I got it apart, I could see the brake switch was cocked at an angle so it was binding and the v spring was out of position. Took 10 minutes to reposition everything and put things back together and both the cruise control and brake light works like a dream again.
Many, many thanks for the great advice. I fixed it in less time than it would have taken to drive to the dealer. let alone get it in at this time of year. My riding would have been done for a while cause there is no way I would ride without a properly functioning brake light.
I am back in business.
Many, many thanks for the great advice. I fixed it in less time than it would have taken to drive to the dealer. let alone get it in at this time of year. My riding would have been done for a while cause there is no way I would ride without a properly functioning brake light.
I am back in business.
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 587
Likes: 1
From: Ga.
Glad you got it fixed, I had ran out to ride some shortly after my first reply, but I see everything went fine, so Congrats.
In the future anytime you are doing something with the lever, make sure to shim the switch, as it is easily broken if you do not shim it. Like I mentioned earlier, lots of people have found how easy it is to tear it up.
In the future anytime you are doing something with the lever, make sure to shim the switch, as it is easily broken if you do not shim it. Like I mentioned earlier, lots of people have found how easy it is to tear it up.