Brake lights stuck on

Firecat · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 May 2013 Karma :

Hi all

Suzuki 600 Bandit

A while back I found I had no brake lights via my rear brake. My bike was due its MOT so I let the garage take care of it.

A while after the MOT I found my brake lights now never went off, so I went back to the garage and they poked at the switch near the back brake - presto my lights worked again.

All was well again, until tonight when again my lights are stuck on. So I poked and poked and still the brake light stayed stuck on. So I took a plate off to get to the switch at the rear brake, took it apart and put it together. Same issues, brake light never goes off. So I think what is needed is just to turn the adjuster as it is obviously set too far one way. Except I then notice that the rest position is lights on, and the in tension position (eg, when the pedal is depressed) is light off. Which is madness and can't be right surely!

At that point I declared it over my head and put the bike together again, I will call the garage in the morning and book in for Saturday. But in the meantime, would someone kindly tell me what is this all about? Surely tension should be on, and relaxed off. Or am I missing something?

I'd rather fix it myself, especially as it will avoid me having to ride with no brake lights! Plus 3 days without my bike will be a huge pain.

For the record, I can make it so pressing the pedal turns the light off... For all the use that is!

Any ideas? Is this normal or has my bike ( or me) gone insane?

SQL · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Aug 2012 Karma :

clean the brake connectors.

Firecat · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 May 2013 Karma :

SQL · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Aug 2012 Karma :

well a crap connector maybe completing the circuit showing the BL as on.

stickybackbob · Trackday Trickster Joined: 23 Mar 2013 Karma :

Have you checked the front switch?

Islander · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Aug 2012 Karma :

This ^^^

Use a meter to check whether or not the switches are operating correctly - you may also be able to hear them click as they operate but it's not a definite proof that they're ok. Thumbs Up

Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

Sounds like the garage cocked it up. Are there two wires but three connections on the switch? It sounds wired NC when it should be NO.
____________________
Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

Firecat · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 May 2013 Karma :

Thanks all for the suggestions. With the rear switch disconnected the front brake has no effect on the light, so it might be a few things are wrong.

I'll draw a line under it and let the garage put it right, otherwise I imagine I will end up making it worse.

Thanks all.

Firecat · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 May 2013 Karma :

Hi all again.

Got a new switch, works fine now. However the male 'pins' are too slender for the socket, so I suspect the first bump I go over will separate them. Is the solution lashings of electrical tape or is there a more tried and tested way?

My front brake still doesn't activate the brake light, which is frustrating, so I think a trip to the garage is still in order unless I can spot something wrong with the front switch.