disconnected front brake light wire

[Lardedah]

This is the 3rd time I've made a thread on here I know that little..

My back light was until 5 minutes ago permanently light up, just checked my rear brake sensor, all is fine. After a quick scan in my haynes, I unplugged the front sensor wire from the 'box' and my light issues seem to be no more, but that wire is just loose at the moment, I've ran the bike idle for 5 minutes, am I okay to use the bike as normal from now on? Just need someone to help me wrap up yhis 'loose-end' pun 100% intended.
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[map]

Some clarification needed.
So when you pull front brake lever the brake light at the rear still lights ok?
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[Lardedah]

Sorry, no the front brake doesn't illuminate the light at all(MOT failure?), only the back brake will illuminate it. Thought that this would do for now, since I have always applied the back brake first and then bring in the front
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[P.addy]

Definite failure.

Try joining the 2 wires at the front, if the light illuminates, it is likely the switch is duff.

[BrownTrousers]

I don't know if you actually are (or should be) always using the back brake first or whether or not it's an MOT failure (I assume it is), but I know that a situation where pulling your front brake doesn't illuminate your brake light doesn't mean your 'issues are no more'.

Get it fixed before someone runs into the back of you.

/boring safety stuff
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[Robby]

What bike?

The front brake usually has a micro-switch next to the lever, moving the lever operates the switch. Sometimes they can jam on or off, the fix is either replacing the switch (cheap) or taking it apart and fixing it (what I do).

If you're going to take it apart, do it inside at a table. They tend to contain very small springs and contacts that like to go ping when you lever the switch open.

In its current state your bike is an MOT fail and dangerous as well.

[totalllama82]

Sounds like you need a new switch. eBay or wemoto are your best bets. As said they can be taken to bits and cleaned up but are a real pain in the arse - especially if you open it to find a puddle of rusty metal in there.

Goes without saying using the bike without a working brake light will end badly.
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[Kickstart]

Hi

Depends on the age of the bike whether it is an MOT fail, but for most bikes it will be a fail.

Likely it is the switch. On some bikes there is a small ball bearing between the lever and the switch which can stick (or be lost when the lever is taken off).

All the best

Keith
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[Lardedah]

Thanks guys, will have a look for switch but don't remember seeing anything. For the fiddly job of taking it apart, might take it to small garage near work that seem to be really good.. Richardsons ? In Congleton. As for riding with a dodgy brake light set up it is of course a bad idea safety wise especially in this crap weather, was more concerned about the circuit not being complete/exposed to rain.

edit: is a 2009 keeway speed 125, first bike picked it up cheap this will be the millionth thing I've had to fix.
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[el_oso]

I'm not sure if I'm reading this right, but here goes.

Your brake light should have two filaments in. One slightly dim one which is your normal back light. You should also have a much brighter light when you press the brake. Now before you disconnected that wire from the front how bright was the light? Was it full brightness or standard running lights? What happened if you pressed the back brake? Did it light up or change or do anything?
When you pull the front brake lever can you hear a click at all?

My understanding is that if all the wires are connected up the rear brake light is permanently on? If this is the case I would suspect the rear brake switch is adjusted badly. Try disconnecting the rear brake switch from the connector block and see what happens with the light. If it is how you say still permanently on i.e. brake light then it is probably the front brake switch.
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[Pol Anorl]

had the same on my old divvy i just unplugged it and used both brakes or little pressure on rear, issue was down to a shitty switch.
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[bladerunner]

Does sound like the switch is sticking. You do have a working brake light so long as you use the rear....which means its not a safety issue but as you say will be an mot fail UNTILL you change or fix the switch...they only cost a few quid.
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[Lardedah]

[Vincent]

I always disconnect my rear brake light switch. The idea being that, if I don't want certain people to know that I'm slowing down, I can use the back brake only. I used to get notices on MOTs that the rear brake light wasn't working but now they're used to me and don't say anything.

Incidentally.....many moons ago, I was pulled because the officer had noticed my brake light come on while I was going around a roundabout. He said that I should never use the brakes while steering the bike
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[P.addy]

[Vincent]

[Lardedah]

So they didn't actually fail you for the brake light issue?
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[Vincent]