Gz 125 marauder 2001 brake light problem

[Tnias]

Hey everybody,

Just bought my first bike in years from a friend, needed a little work like replacing the front brake caliper and some rust issues. Sorted most of those problems but I've just realised the brake light doesn't work at the back, side light goes no problem but nothing happens when the brake is pressed. Anyone got any ideas what could cause this or is it as simple as the bulb? Bike is a suzuki gz 125 marauder 2001.

Thanks in advance

[Dave M]

[quote="Tnias"]Hey everybody,

Just bought my first bike in years from a friend, needed a little work like replacing the front brake caliper and some rust issues. Sorted most of those problems but I've just realised the brake light doesn't work at the back, side light goes no problem but nothing happens when the brake is pressed. Anyone got any ideas what could cause this or is it as simple as the bulb? Bike is a suzuki gz 125

It's most likely the brake switch which is located usually just above/behind the brake pedal.

[Tnias]

Would that stop it working when pressing the front brake too tho? I checked the switch at the front brake and it seems to be doing what it should, I'm sure I checked the rear brake switch too but I'll have a look again today. Thanks for the reply

OK checked the brake switch, both front and back seem to be doing when they should

[Spudly]

I'm just about to go through the same process on my 2006 Marauder, on the back brake.

I have a feeling I'm going to be taking everything from the lever to the switch under the pedal off to ensure I fix it properly - at the moment the pedal goes down and doesn't come back up.
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The Old Apprentice

[Tnias]

Good luck! I don't seem to be getting anywhere, found a rusted up terminal block so swapped that out and rejoined the wires but still no joy, really want to get in to look at the bulb but I can't get into it. Got the light block out last night but the three screws I assume hold the red plastic cover on are too rusted to even move

Edit : OK got into bulb, may be just that, only one of the elements shows signs of life

[Tnias]

Right fixed it... Turns out when I managed to get into the bulb, it was caked in rust. It's stuck in and I can't remove it, but caking it in wd40 solved the problem for now heh.

Thanks for the help

[Tnias]

Yeah so it's stopped working again, one more question, is there any secret to taking the bulb out of the socket? I can't tell if this one is just stuck in cos of rust. Like just push in and twist or our straight out?

[Spudly]

I've never tried to remove the bulb, so can only wish you good luck with that one.

I've had a look at mine and it seems that while I've managed to replace the spring which goes between the back cable and the switch, it seems as if the cable itself has stretched or something. I'm loath to go cutting things apart in there, but if I have to, I will.

Kind of annoying, I think that and the fact the pedal doesn't self return would be the only things preventing it getting through MOT.

Although, it passed its MOT last year with the pedal sticking down. So just the switch really, which means pissing around with the cable.
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The Old Apprentice

[Tnias]

Managed to get the bulb out with some brute force and it smashed, was well rusted in heh. Just need to order a replacement now. Hopefully get it before my cbt which is booked for a couple of weeks away .

My back brake is sticking a bit now but it wasn't before, so I'm hoping it's something I've touched while messing about trying to find brake light problem lol, just doesn't kick back after pressing the brake. I'm new to this fixing bike stuff just kind of winging it and learning as I go hehe

Good luck if your chopping and stuff buddie sounds like effort! Let me know how you get on with your problem please .