I inspected the rear brake switch and everything looks normal. Although not as common, a faulty brake light switch can cause the brake light to come on. I disconnected the run/turn/brake controller and connected the harness as orginal. Check brake lines and connections. In addition, it can cause your brake pads to remain engaged, which leads to additional pad and rotor wear. Having air in the brake system has been known to trigger the ABS warning light. Fully releasing the parking brake will get your brake light unstuck. Here's how to fix it. Motorcycle. The lights warn others that your vehicle is slowing down. But hey, nobody knows everything, and if we all help each other we can move forward a step. You should see a screw, this leads to the switch (and actuates it). Putting on eye protection is highly recommended as you go about locating your brake pedal switch, disconnecting the wiring pigtail, and inspecting it for damage. Are your rear lights malfunctioning? Brake lights warn other vehicles behind you when you are about to slow down or stop. (14 Reasons)Continue, Engine oil is essentially the lifeblood of your vehicle. Your car brakes are meant to keep you from getting into an accident. Brake lights that wont turn off when you remove the key from the ignition will drain your car battery pretty quickly. 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. If the switch is damaged, replace the switch and make sure the master cylinder assembly is properly aligned with the switch housing when reassembled. Have you noticed how hard it is to find a light off-road or ADV motorcycle in a showroom in some markets? 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. Hope this is the solution for you, otherwise talk to your dealer tech. Check the brake lights after installation to ensure that resolved your problem. No shorts were found. The pedal must come back to its original position for the switch to close and the lights to cease working. The housing is easily disassembled to inspect the brake switch. 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. That indicates if the control module is working. The number of times you pump your brake while driving and wear and tear can take a toll on your brake lights. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. I can't learn chit from silence. This article applies to the What's Wrong with My Rear Brake Light Switch? Steve Ask Your Own Motorcycle Question Is it illegal to drive with brake lights stuck on? I've managed to do that more than once when I had the 1997 M900. If youre experiencing brake light problems, a quick overdrive of the brake circuit can often identify the fault. A forum community dedicated to Kawasaki Motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. If you install a light bulb with one circuit in a socket for two circuits, it can short the circuit, and it will cause the brake lights to come on. Good news. Bad switch? Magnus is the owner and main author of Mechanicbase. 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. Because the pedal doesnt return to its natural spot, the brake lights remain on. While its extremely dangerous to drive with brake lights that dont come on, its just as scary having a set that is stuck on. He lit the bike up with his flashlight as I fixed the light. IF this is on the 2006 listed in his profile, the ABS light should not be on beyond starting it. I'm having the same problem where's the sensor?? Motorcycle questions? Whats even worse than having a bad spring in the pedal is having a defective pedal itself. As unlikely as it may seem -- the world works in strange ways -- the tail light filament can break and drop down and short to the brake light filament causing the brake lights to be on 100% of the time. How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Tail Light? Not only are these lights confusing to other drivers, but you could be putting excessive wear on your brake pads or rotors. Make sure that the brake pedal does not stay abnormally locked in place either. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Grinding sound? Glad you found the problem. https://www.instagram.com/moto.bob/------------------OUR GEAR Spada Arc Helmet http://amzn.to/2dJ8Xfz HJC CL-Y Helmet http://amzn.to/2e92FnR Bering Raven Gloves http://amzn.to/2dc8ZbW Rev'it Mohawk Boots http://amzn.to/2dvRwfJ Sena SMH5 Bluetooth Intercom http://amzn.to/2dJ8Dxm Givi WP405 Saddle Bags http://amzn.to/2e5s2uS Givi EA106B Tank Bag http://amzn.to/2dVXXKy GoPro HERO5 Black http://amzn.to/2e15YwN Nikon D3300 http://amzn.to/2e93ZXL------------------ Then they replaced the full harness (#2) as directed by Yamaha. 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. Also make sure the brake light is really on and not just your running light, your brake lights may not be working at all, they fail pretty easily it seems. I disconnected the spring attached to the brake pedal and allowed the plunger to retracted completely, brake light stays on. The brake is a free smart brake light style hardened plastic housing with a little 3M VHB glue that sticks securely to the back of the hood. You might get luck and squeak by using some electrical contact cleaner to flush out the switch. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. This would have absolutely nothing to do with "altitude sickness." Brake light stays on only after riding for a while. Having the proper tools will make brake light wiring jobs less difficult. Most common problem if your brake lights wont turn off on your car ,. Older cars do not use a BCM, though, as the switch directly connects power to the brake lights. Click here to find out why. If your brake lights stay on even if you shut off your car, there are several possible reasons. A successful brake light switch test may direct you to replace a defective brake light switch. Unscrew the threaded brake light switch by hand. 5 Reasons Why Your Brake Pedal Goes to the Floor. The nail w/a head on it, not the type that are the essentially the same circumference from one end to the other. A forum community dedicated to Suzuki Volusia and Boulevard C50 motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. If your brake lights are stuck on, it means that the drivers behind you wont be able to see when youre braking, which could lead to some serious accidents. Nothing else. Your switch is different from the one on my R100 GS, but the micro-switch on that model tends to stick "on" as well after time. He has been working as a car mechanic for over 10 years, and the majority of them specialized in advanced car diagnostics and troubleshooting. If your brake light remains on, you need to get it fixed as soon as possible. The brake lights turn on by means of applying +12 volts to the brake filaments, so there has to be an unintended voltage source connected to the brake lights. For new riders, even with preparatory training, a presence needs to be established. Motorcycle Mechanic: Steve more often than not, this is caused by a broken actuator pin on the front brake light switch. Replace missing bumpers with new ones as soon as you can so that you can close out the brake circuit. Is it safe to drive a car with the brake light on? Motorcycle Mechanic: Chris If your brake fluid level is good, and you are sure the brake pedal is all the way up, then your switch may be bad, and causing the light to stay on. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Did you check the switch for the front brake??? This article applies to Harley Davidson Touring models. With cooler nights and less heat and humidity during the day, bikers seem to be everywhere. Dont lose the mounting hardware, as you will need to reuse it when installing the new switch. If you see otherwise, adjust the brake switch so that it gets to open the connection. Could also be a broken brake light switch together with other faulty bulbs if they are not working at all. There are many parts of the braking system that can get corroded or covered with debris. Consider two key facts: There is another element to all of this the rider or riders. Whether you have a turbo-charged, fuel-injected wheeler, or, Read More How to Know if Temp Gauge Is Bad (9 Symptoms)Continue. It works perfectly. If this happens when I park at night it drains the battery. it's on the frame, aft of the transmission, behind the exhaust pipes. hitting the front or rear brake doesn't do anything. Spotting these crumbs points to a deteriorated bumper due to heat and age, confirming it as the cause of the problem. A two fer one. JavaScript is disabled. When I want to read a really good Harley thread, I just turn to VolusiaRiders.com. If this spring has lost its tension and cant return back to normal, the brake system remains engaged, which causes the lights to illuminate. GENII bikes lose the light right after ignition on, unless there's a problem. Also make sure the brake light is really on and not just your running light, your brake lights may not be working at all, they fail pretty easily it seems. When this spring gets old, it can become weak. 2009 Ram TRX4 third brake light on when trick is off, rear brake lights on when trick is on. The switch uses a ground trigger for the BCM, which turns the brake lights power on. Well, good news for the OP, fixing the brake light may well fix the ABS light flashing too. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Paint, 44 tooth rear, Corbin seat, Stage 2 jet kit, Strati Pipes, and Stripes! Brake fluid is fine. Next thing to check would be the wiring from the front switch to the BCM. Also took my battery out and put it back in I do not weather any of this is related to the problem. Aug 1, 2004. Today after work decided to give her a bath . (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. Certified Automotive Diagnostic Technician. This article applies to the Harley Davidson Harley Davidson Sportster Brake Diagnostics Guide Harley owners occasionally find that their brake light is continuously illuminated even without applying the brakes. (This is why the switch is on the black wires). Went for a ride last night and seen that my rear brake light was staying on all the time. 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. Last night I noticed that my brake light stays on all the time. It is a little bit sad when the owners know more about the bike than their dealerships do. One may be corroded (if so, clean the connections) or have water trapped in it bridging the connection. 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. There are two main different light bulb types, with one circuit or two circuits. 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. You guys are awesome! Among the most common causes of brake light problems is a burnt-out bulb. I have a 99 gsxr 750 I gust installed a under tail kit with led turn signals and brake lights. I've never run into that situation: where a dealership or sales people know more about the product than the manufacturer or designers. Fortunately, this is a fairly common problem on various Harley models, so diagnosis and repair of the failed component(s) have been well documented. . I, Just another example of why my bikes never see the inside of a dealership. Verify that they securely connect. Paint, 44 tooth rear, Corbin seat, Stage 2 jet kit, Strati Pipes, and Stripes! Step 2 - Bleed the brakes You could have air in the system. It makes the smooth operation of your car possible while protecting its components from damage. What can cause this? To find the brake light switch follow that wire, or just look around on the lever. Additionally, you dont know what else is wrong that could potentially leave you without brakes if not repaired. But if you can disconnect one of them and it makes no difference, it would at least support the theory that the other one is bad My mony is on the rear brake switch just because of the location and the chance for water, salt, road gunk etc to contaminate the switch. I love to explore earth's natural terrain and share my experience. Today, we look at the reasons why your brake lights stay on and how to fix it. Electrical Diagnostic Guide ABS light on? If you kneel down on the drivers side, you should be able to see it. This completes the brake lights circuit in your vehicles electrical system and needs to be replaced if found defective. Once done with the wires, inspect the switchs alignment and confirm that a depressed brake pedal activates the switchs plunger. The brake lights are not on when I leave the vehicle but sometimes are on when I return. It's free! Below are the things you will need: Below are steps on how to determine whether a faulty brake light switch is what is causing your brake lights to stay on: Find the brake light switch under the dashboard near the top of the brake pedal. Zero issues , fantastic ride on my XCT . Solution: adjuster handle bar up, you will find a small indentation on the bar which should be visable were the clamps meet when torqued properly. Slide the brake light switch bumper up the brake pedal with your other hand, feeling around for the hole where it should go. This happens even when pedal switch removed. JavaScript is disabled. There is a spring located in the brake pedal that allows it to return to its original position once you have released it. If not, flush out the old brake fluid before adding a new one to the reservoir. Although this rarely happens, the cause of your problem may be as simple as an engaged parking brake. Now I'm stumped, damm thing has got to be drawing power from somewhere, so I pull the seat and remember I had installed a kury run/turn/brake controller. A busted Harley Davidson Sportster Rear Lights Not Working If there is an issue with the braking systems wiring, the lights might act unusually. If that was burned or melted they would do: 2) full wiring harness. If your brake light is on all the time, it's at least as bad as when it never works, maybe worse. The problem is usually found in the right handlebar switch housing where the front brake switch is located. Most likely, your stuck brake light is caused by one of these problems. Almost all brake lights that stay on or flicker are caused by faulty or malfunctioning brake lights. When all else fails, you should take your car to a mechanic. Here's what could cause it and how to fix it. Otherwise, if it is in pieces, it needs to be replaced. Here are common ways to fix brake lights that stay on: Check the brake light switch for damage Replace blown fuses Install a new brake light switch Keep your brake pedal bumper functional Replace burnt-out bulbs Detach the car battery Keep your brake pedal dirt-free Ensure the brake pedal pushes the switch correctly It can also be caused by a broken brake pedal or a fault in the electrical system. A temporary fix for this is to detach your battery while your vehicle is off when you encounter this issue. But when stuck, these lights defeat their purpose as a safety feature and potentially put you and others in danger. Fortunately, this is a fairly common problem with various Harley models, so diagnosis and repair of the failed component(s) is well documented. If the brake lever has been changed out or the master cylinder replaced, it is easy for the delicate switch to become damaged or misaligned and remain in the on position, even when the brakes are released, thus causing the brake light to stay on. If that that wire finds ground anywhere along its path, the brake light will remain on. Was a very easy fix for me. That was an air/fuel ratio issue. When the switch is NOT engaged, the light will come on when it is, the light is off. First, remove the Hazard Lighting fuse (10 amp) and see if the brake lights go off. Jun 23, 2015. Brake light stays on, battery drains fast even ignition is off. The fluid level should be within maximum and minimum indicators. Please register or login to enable Dark Mode. Well at least you found the problem. Lead, or follow, but just stay out of my way. I've seen these cracked a few times. Light was still on. Depending on your state, you could be subject to a hefty fine if you are pulled over for driving with your brake lights on at all times. You can't tell the difference when you apply the brakes in the daytime, but at night it's not too hard to detect the subtle difference in brightness. Next up would be some left over farkle wiring from a previous owner, perhaps a brake light strobe gone wrong or trailer wiring. Does the rear brake switch function the light correctly ? The left brake light switches off, Sounds like a short circuit somewhere, maybe from failed wirings. Fortunately, we have our own security toolbox in addition to our education, training and experience. The brake pedal switch is located near your brake pedal and you can often adjust it. If you recently replaced the rear light bulbs when this happened, you may have installed the wrong bulbs. If any damage to the switch is found, replace the switch and ensure the master cylinder assembly is correctly aligned with the switch housing upon reassembly. IMHO the contacts back there are pretty cheap, and the constant vibration can't be helping much. You also need to remove the brake switch from the brake pedal linkage. JavaScript is disabled. They use a switch that turns the bulbs on the moment you press the brake pedal. These switches provide ground to complete the brake light circuit. But IMHO do the second part first- determine which switch is likely the problem by unplugging one. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. First, you need to create a vacuum in the braking system you can achieve this with your vehicle running. Show. Make sure that your hood latch is not electric before you disconnect the negative battery terminal. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Lets look at each defective brake light symptom in-depth. Most importantly, you keep yourself from driving under risky conditions, reducing your chances of causing an accident or being in one. Normally, the ECU turns on a relay letting the relay contacts supply the 12 volts. If you're experiencing brake light problems, a quick overdrive of the brake circuit can often . All Rights Reserved. In some cases, a stuck brake light is caused not by an electrical fault. In fact, in some ways, some technologies have seen many solutions come into their own to provide tools and solutions for rapid emergence. 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. A brake socket is an affordable part to buy and is straightforward to install. 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. Come join the discussion about performance, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! Im gonna replace the rear brake light switch this morning and see if it solves it. The expectation is that the stoplight switch is aligned with the arm and pushed to shut the brake lights off. Disappointing yes realistically absolutely. If the brake light on your Harley Touring model is stuck on or flickering, this article will focus on several issues that could be causing the problem. If you break the harness release by accident, you can use electric tape to hold the pigtail in place during reassembly. The switch on the front brake lever on my Intruder will sometimes retain water after I wash the bike or in heavy rain, causing this same problem. Thanks again, and shane thanks for the curb side help!, Brake light stays on - not the common problems, Wont start in neutral with side stand down 2008 Model. I may be Old but I Refuse to Grow Up. For what it does and how it does it, Brakeless costs $169.99. Depending on your vehicles make and model, you may need to remove pieces of the interior trim to access the fuse box, and you may need to inspect more than one fuse for your brake light. The brake system is not overly complex, so tracking down the source of the problem is often quick and easy. Moved to oilheads. 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. Mar 15, 2005. Thank you folks for replies. Your ohm meter is your friend! The rear brake light switch has proven quite problematic as well, and even forced Harley at one point to issue a recall on Touring models for it failing. There was no burning so they did #1. If it is no longer feasible to clean the brake light sockets, replace them by snipping the old wires and splicing in the new unit. Will brake lights that stay on drain the battery? Some individuals prefer to skip this testing procedure and simply swap in a new or known-good relay since they are readily available and relatively cheap. This Harley Davidson Touring Flashing Turn Signals Won't Work Thread starter foshow150; Start date Jun 18, 2010; Help Support Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum: . Take some WD-40 and spray the switch plunger and . Pennzoil vs. Mobil 1 Oil: Differences & Which Is Better? Plugged in front brake lever connector, brake lite works normal, plug in rear brake connector and brake lite works normal. Dont get me wrong, its not bad any increase has to be good these days. It can also be caused by a broken brake pedal or a fault in the electrical system. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. :devil. Road Runner, MyinfoPie, Banggood, HDForums If youre in traffic and your brake lights stay on, other drivers may not see you actually braking, which could cause a rear-end collision. Motorcycle Brake Light Stays On Sticky brake lights are a real nuisance and can be a safety hazard. Here are steps on how to replace it: In summary, here are 12 ways on how to fix stuck brake lights: The next time anyone asks you, Why are my brake lights stuck on? you should be able to assist them with where and what to inspect. Lets begin with the causes: The most common reason why your brake lights stay on is due to a faulty brake light switch or sensor. Even the smallest amount of debris can lead to trouble. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. The rear switch is hydraulic pressure-operated and, being close to the exhaust system, can fail in a variety of ways. Why Does My Brake Light Stay On If this turns the light off, you have found the problem. Most bikers own and use these tools sometimes theyre physical things, sometimes theyre different, but we use them. Shine a flashlight on the switch stopper and check that it sits flush against the metal plate. After installing undertail I see that when the key is in the on position that the brake lights stay on, I go to push the brakes and does not change gust stays on all the time. Lights not illuminating or returning a 12V reading would mean that the brake switch is not receiving power, signifying a wiring problem. It may be due to a defective rubber stopper or debris/corrosion between the brake switch and pedal. When the switch inside the brake system isnt working right, your lights cant turn off. If the brake light on your Harley Touring model is stuck on or flickering, this article will focus on several issues that could be causing the problem. It's a simple matter of loosening a couple of screws and adjusting. Brake light sensors are an inexpensive part that may need adjusted, as you may find out when your lights won't turn off.