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Brake Light Staying On
Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 2:40 pm
by ColumbiaBMW
Quick question, the other night riding home I realized my brake light was staying on if I used the front brake. And yes, I made sure it wasn't my foot accidentally resting on the rear brake peg. After playing with the brakes a few times I realized it definitely was the front brake causing it to stay on. If I squeezed the brake and let go again it would usually go off though, but the one time I actually pushed the lever forwards away from me, the problem went away for the rest of the trip (30 miles or so) and I haven't been able to get it to do it again. Any ideas of what caused this, or a way to prevent it in the future? I have no idea how long it's been going on because I usually ride during the day, and this was the first time I'd used it at night in weeks. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Re: Brake Light Staying On
Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 6:09 pm
by towerworker
Possibly the front brake switch a tad dirty or just on the verge of hanging up. You pushing the brake lever away from you was the nudge it needed. A shot of an electrical switch cleaner in the switch assembly may be all that's needed. WD40 may work but there are probably other products that are as good if not better. Biggest problem is getting the stuff in the switch.
Wayne
Re: Brake Light Staying On
Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 7:13 pm
by ColumbiaBMW
Thanks wayne, now this will probably be a super stupid question but how to i get that thing open?? I just want to make sure I dont start taking the wrong screws out and mess something up. I searched here for a while to see if there are instructions on how to clean it, but I couldnt find anything.
Re: Brake Light Staying On
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 4:45 am
by BMWkidd
Do you have GS type hand guards?
Paul
Re: Brake Light Staying On
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 6:45 pm
by ColumbiaBMW
BMWkidd wrote:Do you have GS type hand guards?
Nope, I wish I did, but no they're not getting caught on anything, I think Wayne is right about me cleaning out the switches. Just wish I knew how to do that...
Re: Brake Light Staying On
Posted: Mon May 09, 2011 3:09 am
by riceburner
The actual switch is a little tiny micro-switch assembly, hidden under a cover on the underside of the m/c assembly.
They "can" be finickety to get at, and also finickity to setup right - I used to have this issue every damned year, normally just at MOT time!
Get the cover off, and take a GOOD LONG LOOK at how the assembly works, make sure you're ABSOLUTELY sure you understand how it's all working before tinkering with it...
You can adjust the position of the micro-switch to make sure the lever is actuating it correctly.