MOT FAIL

[Bubbs]

My MOT failed because the brake light doesn't work when the brake is activated. The rear light works on it's own but seems to cut out now and again but with a sharp tap it goes back on.

The lads in the garage are more than happy to fix it at 50quid an hour but I was hoping you knowledgeable bunch know about electrics and what i should check. I thought maybe I should just buy a new bulb but it it's working now and again so I thought it must be a connection issue.

Anyhow any advice would me much appreciated.
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Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[Kaph]

Check the connections at the back, see if any have come loose. It's normally just plastic connectors, some may have worked their way loose.

Also worth checking where they actually enter the rear light assembly.

Are you tapping it at the light or the brake pedal?

[Bubbs]

[Ichy]

Bulb is probably loose in the holder.

[Ingah]

For lols i think you should ask the garage for a estimate on how much it costs to fix it and what you should do (ensure that this is a "free" quote/estimate though), and then fix it yourself, probably by screwing that bulb back in.

It'll give you a good idea if the garage is full of cowboys or not, at the very least.
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-- Ingah

[neil.]

Get some contact cleaner and cotton buds and clean up the contacts on the bulb and in the holder. If it's the YBR, round the back of the bulb holder are spade connectors, pull them out, remembering the order of coloured wires and clean them up as well. You need to remove the side panels, seat, luggage rack and cowling (in that order) to get decent access (it's quick and easy). Give everything a smear of ACF50 for good measure before reassembling. Wire brush/wool over the contacts with contact cleaner if they are really bad. Then change the bulb if that fails as it could just be on its way out. If none of that sorts it, then the problem is in the wiring loom or brake light switch, but that seems unlikely if you just need to tap the light fitting itself.
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)