They use a switch that turns the bulbs on the moment you press the brake pedal. Of course, being sales people they may tell you anything, but I think that is more likely than not baloney. A missing bumper will do the same. Squealing? If that that wire finds ground anywhere along its path, the brake light will remain on. There are many parts of the braking system that can get corroded or covered with debris. Clean out any debris left behind by the old switch stopper in the hole where the bumper goes into. Here's how to fix it. JavaScript is disabled. There have been several reported cases of the brake light shorting across the tail light causing the light to be too bright as if the brake light was on. It is a "fail safe" system, meaning that almost any failure of the brake system will leave the brake lights in the "on" state Here's a description of how the brake lights work on a 2nd Gens: ^^^^^ Oh you Gen II guys (and now Gen III guy). Only one of the two wires attached to the brake light switch should render this result. If this won't stop the rear brake light from coming on, disconnect the rear brake switch and see if the front brake switch is causing this problem. If the brake switch plunger is seized in the "in" position, then the brake lights will be "on" all the time. Verify that they securely connect. Get some plastic safe electrical contact cleaner & spray up inside the rear brake switch while stepping on the pedal several times. Even the smallest amount of debris can lead to trouble. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. A brake pedal that is stuck or not closing the switch is another cause for the brake light to stay on or get stuck. This article applies to the Harley Davidson Harley Davidson Sportster Brake Diagnostics Guide Take some WD-40 and spray the switch plunger and . Had a similar problem on a FLSTC, this was my experience. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $300 for the parts and labor involved in this repair. A forum community dedicated to all Harley-Davidson model owners and enthusiasts. Additionally, the cruise control system uses the brake light switch and may not work if the switch is stuck in the on position. Loosen and remove the bolts holding the switch in place (could be as many as 1-4 bolts depending on vehicle). Also, check the light bulbs in the rear to see if the right type is installed, like mentioned earlier in the article. Motorcycle Brake Light Stays On - Sticky brake lights are a real nuisance and can be a safety hazard. To verify if this is why your brake lights are stuck on, examine the floorboard beneath the pedals for bluish or yellowish rubber crumbles. Could also be a broken brake light switch together with other faulty bulbs if they are not working at all. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Im gonna replace the rear brake light switch this morning and see if it solves it. Last night I noticed that my brake light stays on all the time. Before doing any work on your vehicles electrical system, always disconnect the battery to avoid shock or damage. Which Pedal is the Brake in an Automatic Car? A busted Harley Davidson Sportster Rear Lights Not Working Harley recommends testing circuits using a digital circuit, but a simple test light works just as well. Disclosure: We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Why Won't Flashing Turn Signals Work? List Price: $29.95. Dont lose the mounting hardware, as you will need to reuse it when installing the new switch. I may be Old but I Refuse to Grow Up. Some people choose to skip this testing process and choose to switch to a newer or better known transmission because it is simpler or cheaper. 2007 R1200R. Fortunately, this is a fairly common problem with various Harley models, so diagnosis and repair of the failed component(s) is well documented. Additionally, you dont know what else is wrong that could potentially leave you without brakes if not repaired. Replace missing bumpers with new ones as soon as you can so that you can close out the brake circuit. Light was still on. If the brake light switch shorts internally it may cause the brake lights to stay illuminated, even when the pedal is not being pressed. If this happens when I park at night it drains the battery. I love to explore earth's natural terrain and share my experience. All Rights Reserved. It is a little bit sad when the owners know more about the bike than their dealerships do. You dont want to take chances with the braking system, even if it is only an issue with the light. Brake light sensors are an inexpensive part that may need adjusted, as you may find out when your lights won't turn off. A forum community dedicated to Suzuki Volusia and Boulevard C50 motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. I disconnected the spring attached to the brake pedal and allowed the plunger to retracted completely, brake light stays on. Two outcomes will occur when this happens either the brake lights are stuck on or not working. (How to Fix), Brake Lights Not Working But Tail Lights Are? With its passion for motorcycles and the desire to bring a brakeless smart brake light to the market, the company launched an IndieGoGo crowdfunding project in April 2017, and with the help of 2,138 backers, the brakeless light is here. Nothing else. -USB charging port (and possible firmware update) and one control button on top. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Its actually not safe to drive a car with the brake light on, even though it may seem like it would be fine. When the switch is NOT engaged, the light will come on when it is, the light is off. Don't Delete, man. J. I'm Kris and this is my blog where I talk about all things related to ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, Jeeps, snowmobiles, and more. It also covers how to replace your brake light switch and bumper, should there be a need. Brake switch is normally open (open contacts when the brake is released) The contacts close when the brakes are in use. 5 Reasons Why Your Brake Pedal Goes to the Floor. My taillight is giving me similar problems. Grinding sound? (running light was still on). It is interesting that sometimes a micro switch can make it's normal click sound when actuating but be bad. Not that anyone would intentionally do it, but it can, Read More 8 Water in Gas Tank Symptoms (How To Check & Fix)Continue, More than we would like to admit, a well-functioning temp gauge is crucial to our vehicle performance. To do this, you will need to: Another brake assembly part that is commonly found at fault is the brake pedal switch bumper. Remove the defective switch and screw in a new one. Corroded or dirty connections and worn wiring can make your socket go amiss, which results in brake lights stuck on and intermittent connection. Ensure the pigtail harness is disconnected and tucked away somewhere safe before removing the brake light switch, as you will be reusing that same harness later. Changed out rear brake - Answered by a verified Motorcycle Mechanic. If the stopper is missing, you want to look around on the mat where it might have fallen. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, racing, news, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! If you recently replaced the rear light bulbs when this happened, you may have installed the wrong bulbs. If you've replaced the brake line, proceed to Step 2. On the older Monsters, at least, you can put the tail light bulb in backwards so that the brighter filament is connected to the tail light and the dimmer one to the brakes. Brake fluid is fine. Tighten the adjustment nut and bolts with a ratchet and socket. I pull the plunger out, brake light stays on. Doityourself, PaulsTravelPictures For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Next thing to check would be the wiring from the front switch to the BCM. the lights pretty bright so i'm almost positive its on - wheres the brake sensors? Thread starter foshow150; Start date Jun 18, 2010; Help Support Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum: . Fully releasing the parking brake will get your brake light unstuck. Hence, keep your brake fluid within ample levels so that your brake lights do not act up. And the price is right! An easy-to-follow remedy is to look under the dash above the brake pedal and follow the pedal arm up to the switch. click on, click off. If your brake light remains on, you need to get it fixed as soon as possible. However, if they only stay on when the ignition is on, it is not very likely that they will drain your car battery. When I want to read a really good Harley thread, I just turn to VolusiaRiders.com. It's rare though. Check for proper brake light operation by pressing and releasing the brake pedal several times. Zero issues , fantastic ride on my XCT . You also need to remove the brake switch from the brake pedal linkage. Your car brakes are meant to keep you from getting into an accident. If that was burned or melted they would do: 2) full wiring harness. If you bend the rear brake petal too far it will move too far away from the switch, allowing the brake light to stay on regardless of brake lever or pedal condition. Braking includes a user selectable free output mode and emergency braking. Click here to find out why. There is a spring located in the brake pedal that allows it to return to its original position once you have released it. Use your owners manual as a guide in determining which of the fuse box the one under the hood or the other one on the drivers side of the cabin contains the blown fuse that needs replacement. To repeat the statement made in the introductory section of the InView wireless brake and turn signal system review the technology is not there yet, even in our COVID-19 world. The rear brake light also proved troublesome, even forcing Harley to recall one Touring model for failure. First, you need to create a vacuum in the braking system you can achieve this with your vehicle running. In addition, it can cause your brake pads to remain engaged, which leads to additional pad and rotor wear. (Causes & How To Fix), Tail Lights Not Working But Brake Lights Are? Otherwise, you may need to replace your defective switch. But IMHO do the second part first- determine which switch is likely the problem by unplugging one. The lights warn others that your vehicle is slowing down. If youre experiencing brake light problems, a quick overdrive of the brake circuit can often identify the fault. By logging into your account, you agree to our, Want To Buy Motorcycles/Parts/Accessories, Trades & Freebies (See Subforums for specific models), The Queens Of The Road (For Women Bikers), Support for The Troops and their Families, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. When you do this, the test light should illuminate, and the voltmeter should read 12V (if nothing is wrong with the brake switch). A small bracket is attached to the hood to attach the brakeless unit to the bracket. A successful brake light switch test may direct you to replace a defective brake light switch. I've been to a couple of forums this morning and this seems to be pretty popular issue. The next thing you will need to look at is the wires attached to the switch. There are probably a lot of other things that could be attributed to this as well, this is just one issue that i personally had. Moved to oilheads. Fortunately, this is a fairly common problem with various Harley models, so diagnosis and repair of the failed component(s) is well documented. The most common reason why your brake lights stay on is due to a faulty brake light switch or sensor. This article aims to keep vehicle owners informed of how they can maintain the proper function of their cars safety features so stick around to learn more. How to Change Brake Pads With an Electric Parking Brake, 5 Reasons Your Cruise Control Is Not Working and How To Fix It, 5 Symptoms Of A Bad Brake Light Switch and Replacement Cost, Car Wont Accelerate But RPMs Go Up: Causes & Fixes. Just be careful some plastics really don't like that stuff 07 C50- SOLDA few bikes in between99 Royal Star Venture-current. However, this isnt a task that should be done without extensive automotive knowledge. When the switch inside the brake system isnt working right, your lights cant turn off. How much does it cost to fix a brake light switch? First, remove the Hazard Lighting fuse (10 amp) and see if the brake lights go off. Ensuring, Read More 12 No Oil in Car Symptoms to Look Out ForContinue, With the growing knowledge of engine oil products, their properties, and the like, it is no wonder comparing top brands, and pleasing choosy consumers have, Read More Castrol vs Mobil 1: Which is Better?Continue, Every vehicle owner can agree that dealing with water in the gas tank is troublesome. I think the VisiStop is a great addition to the bike; the unit is inconspicuous, easy to install and adds good functionality to the auxiliary LED brake light. That's mainly the problem Ask an Expert Car Questions Motorcycle Questions Brake light stays on, battery drains fast even ignition is TIMOTO, Motorcycle Mechanic 1,338 Satisfied Customers Please read the whole thing before jumping to conclusions. If this spring has lost its tension and cant return back to normal, the brake system remains engaged, which causes the lights to illuminate. The housing can be easily taken apart to inspect the brake switch. If that that wire finds ground anywhere along its path, the brake light will remain on. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Is it safe to drive a car with the brake light on? Does the rear brake switch function the light correctly ? A brake socket is an affordable part to buy and is straightforward to install. Brake light stays on, battery drains fast even ignition is off. Inspecting the electrical connections and testing functionality of the switch with a test light can indicate if a replacement switch is needed. Shine a flashlight on the switch stopper and check that it sits flush against the metal plate. This would have absolutely nothing to do with "altitude sickness." If there is something wrong with the BCM, this could leave the brake lights stuck on. Motorcycle Mechanic: Steve more often than not, this is caused by a broken actuator pin on the front brake light switch. It may be due to a defective rubber stopper or debris/corrosion between the brake switch and pedal. With the idea that motorcycle safety (see above) doesnt come at the expense of style, and accommodates both performance and style, the company brought the first prototype to market in April 2014. If this is not the problem, also unplug the rear brake switch on the rear brake master cylinder. I, Just another example of why my bikes never see the inside of a dealership. JavaScript is disabled. Conversely, determine if your turn signals need replacement this applies to American vehicle owners with blinkers incorporated into the brake light circuit. pulled the wires fron the rear brake light switch and the light went off. Brake lights that wont turn off when you remove the key from the ignition will drain your car battery pretty quickly. One lane user will recognize and acknowledge your presence, but the next ten users will not. 99 monster s: 41mm FCR's, dyna coils, some CC stuff, marchenisi rims After scrounging around the house trying to figure out what I can use, the thing that works the best for me is a nail that I cut down to size w/a wire cutter. The relay is located in the fuse box behind the left side saddlebag. Went for a ride last night and seen that my rear brake light was staying on all the time. If the switches test good, and there is still voltage coming out of the relay, this indicates the relay itself is bad. experience, MMI, HD technician, HD early, engine rebuild/performance,. Consider two key facts: There is another element to all of this the rider or riders. But that setback means that as we move from summer to early fall, getting two wheels covering the groundpaved or otherwisemeans there are just as many, if not more, of us on the road. IMHO the contacts back there are pretty cheap, and the constant vibration can't be helping much. While there are typically no mechanical faults that prevent the bike from being ridden, a brake light that is always on can present a huge safety risk since it indicates to other vehicles when you are slowing down. JavaScript is disabled. Register today and take advantage of membership benefits. If the brake lights on your Harley Touring model are stuck or flickering, this article will cover a few things that could be causing the problem. There are two main different light bulb types, with one circuit or two circuits. (14 Reasons), 12 No Oil in Car Symptoms to Look Out For, 8 Water in Gas Tank Symptoms (How To Check & Fix), How to Know if Temp Gauge Is Bad (9 Symptoms), A test light, multi-meter, or volt ohm meter, like a. Unplug the brake light or stoplight switch. If you recently replaced the rear light bulbs when this happened, you may have installed the wrong bulbs. Yes. Troubleshooting Always On Brake Light (Motorcycle) - YouTube My brand new Honda Grom developed the problem when the brake light where would not turn off essentially we thought one of. Why Aren't My Rear Lights Working? Figure 1. I disconnected the run/turn/brake controller and connected the harness as orginal. A desire to share this passion by creating beautiful and high performance products for our peers. Lights not illuminating or returning a 12V reading would mean that the brake switch is not receiving power, signifying a wiring problem. Make sure the switch is adjusted (can be moved in or out) so that it is released when the brake is released. Check the socket to see if you can see two circuits or one, and then check the light bulb. 100 super bright LEDs (two peripheral and two central panels) and two sensors together with two software provide a truly autonomous device with real footage. Harley suggests testing the relay circuit with a digital multimeter, but a simple test light will work, too. If your brake lights stay on even if you shut off your car, there are several possible reasons. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, builds, maintenance, classifieds and more! Had a minor impact where i hit my brakes real hardnow my brake lights wont go offeverything looks normal on the switch and shim, The right brake light on my car stays on when the car is switched off. Please register or login to enable Dark Mode. We are practically invisible on the road most of the time and after 50+ years on the road that fact is paramount when riding a motorcycle. When the front brake light switch malfunctioned the last time, did you have everything re assembled? 1600 Kawasaki Classic. 3) Confirm the wheel bearings are good, the wheel is solidly mounted, the sensor mount is correctly located on the axle. Hope this is the solution for you, otherwise talk to your dealer tech.