BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH
THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY VANCE BLOSSER AND PUBLISHED HERE WITH HIS PERMISSION.
Stuck Brake Light Switch
OK, you've got a stuck brake light switch. The problem is, there are 2
switches so you have to figure out which one. It turns out this isn't
too hard, if you are logical about it.
Down by the foot brake, close to the transmission, you'll see a rubber
'bulb' with 2 wires going into it. This is the rear brakelight switch.
Tug the rubber cover off, you'll see 2 wires plugged onto the switch.
Pull one of them off, and keep it from touching the bike anywhere (tape
it up if you have to, or get a helper). Now, turn on the key. If the
brake lights still come on, it's NOT this switch, go to the front switch
routine.
BACK SWITCH BAD or STUCK (light went out when you pulled the wire off):
First, go ahead and remove the other wire (it doesn't matter which goes
where when you put it back together). Unscrew the switch (you may have
to loosen the lock nut that holds it in place). After it's out,
reconnect the wires, turn on the key, and press the button in - the brake
lights should go out. If they do, it's an adjustment issue - if they don't,
you need a new switch. (Sometimes you can spray some WD40 in the
pushbutton area and get a bit more life, but it's gonna fail again so go
ahead and get a new one).
ADJUSTING REAR BRAKELIGHT SWITCH (you got a new one or are
re-installing the working one you have). Run the adjustment nut pretty far up the
shaft, close to the switch housing. The idea here is that you want the
switch to stick out JUST ENOUGH to push the button and kill the light,
so the light will come on as soon as you press the brake pedal. A small
mirror can come in handy so you can see when the button touches the
brake rod tab. Use a test light, a meter, or put the wires back on and
test to make sure the switch turns off when the pedal is up and turns on
when down. Once you find this position, tighten the lock nut. If you
turn the switch too far down the brake tab will beat on the end of it and
can cause early failure. Replace the wires and the cover and drive! You
may have to re-tweak the adjustment if the switch wears in a bit.
FRONT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TEST - same procedure as the rear, except the
switch is mounted on the handlebars. Again, remove one wire and test to
see if the brake lights go out - if so, this switch is bad or
misadjusted. The procedure and goal is the same as the rear switch, except the
switch hits the brake lever instead of the rear brake rod.
When working, make sure the terminals do not touch the frame of the
bike or you will blow the brake light fuse.
This Page was last updated: Monday, April 21, 2008 at 1:07:38 AM
This page was originally posted: 6/14/04; 10:00:06 PM.
Copyright 2008 CRAWFORD SALES COMPANY
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