Rear stoplight

[BigAlsRK]

Hit the brakes this evening and no light....rear brake feels a bit soft...taillight and turn signals (got the tail runner kit) work when front brake applied but nothing on back brake...gonna check the level tomorrow and bleed them.....could it be the stoplight switch?......it's a 2000...original switch am sure.

[BigAlsRK]

Nada??

[thedog]

yes ............

[ridingjerry]

That is not so good.
Keep us informed on what you find.

[BigAlsRK]

Ok let's try this again.......one more time.......HELP!!!!!....carry on...

[Kfengler]

The rear brake feeling soft: I would suspect low brake fluid, and or some air or water got in there.
(If that's the case air/water in the system it would tend to apply the brake once headed up, which would take a few miles of riding.)

As far as the lights not working, I would check the switch, maybe just needs adjusting. Or there could be a loose wire, after all Harley's do vibrate and I've had my Horn Wire on myb FXDWG break because of 6 years of vibration.

Be interested in knowing what you do find!

[thedog]

I'll be down that way sometime between now and April 30th. Can it wait until then?

Does the brake light work with the front brake applied?

[GrayRider]

Check the bulb.

[dwarthog]

Being a doof, I do the simple stuff.

If it works when you apply the front brake, then the bulb is ok. Sounds like the switch may be out of adjustment or it just decided to quit on you.

Did it work after your accident?

On the mushy brakes, I would completely replace the brake fluid and check the rear pads for wear.

[ridingjerry]

As stated above. check the fluid level. I believe the rear light switch works
on pressure.
Check the fluid level. Could be low. If you havn't changed fluid for a
while (couple of years) might as well change the fluid. (this'll keep ya
busy for an evening)
Once you get the system bled and fluid level topped off, you should
get both decent feel (not spongy) and a working light.

:cheers:

[dynageno]

Brake light switch adjustment???

[Kfengler]

I found this info about replacing the Rear Brake Light Switch Failure!

Some replacement notes for touring model owners (may apply to other models as well):
- The replacement part number is 72023-51D (most recent revision, the parts
list for the '00 models shows "51C")
- It comes with a couple of spade lugs if you need them, but my old wires and
lugs fit fine
- A 1" wrench works to turn out the old (larger outside diameter) switch
- Have spare finger ready to block fluid from leaking out when you pull out
the old switch! (Guess how I found that out)
- The new part number requires a 17mm wrench to turn it in (Harley's goin' metric!)
- Doesn't seem to make a difference which wire goes to which lug when you
reconnect (if I'm wrong, someone correct me!)
- It works!

[LittleBear]

Easy way to test the rear brake light switch. With the ignition on, check the Orange wire for 12 volts. If it is not there, you have a bad wire. If it is there, hit the rear brake. You should now have 12 volts on the red wire. If it is not there, you have a bad switch.
Of course you do need a Voltmeter for the test.

[Scabbydoo]

Mushy brake has nothing to do with the light. If you had sufficient brake before the accident, my guess is the "mushy feel" is do to improper bleeding when they put it back together. As for the lack of light, you have indicated it comes on when front is pulled. The indicates the bulb is good as well as brake light module and wiring from it to light. Would check adjustment of switch first. Make sure actuator has full travel. If it does, then possibly the switch is bad. As Little Bear said, you will need a voltmeter to check for sure.

[trmn8r]

Don't know about a '00 for sure, but just checked the manual on my '06 and it is indeed a pressure activated switch that goes into the brake fluid line. If thats the case I think air/mushiness could maybe cause it not to operate, but it would have to be pretty darn mushy.

[BigAlsRK]

Finished........ all is well....replaced the switch and while I was at it I replaced the brake line too...all is good thanks for the help!!!

[harleyjsb]

You are more then Welcome,Al.............

[Scabbydoo]

Don't know about a '00 for sure, but just checked the manual on my '06 and it is indeed a pressure activated switch that goes into the brake fluid line. If thats the case I think air/mushiness could maybe cause it not to operate, but it would have to be pretty darn mushy.

OK, OK so I'm operatin' on mechanical knowledge that's older than the wheel. And, I'm a Doof. Whatd' you expect.

Next thing ya know you'll be tellin me they don't kick start anymore.

[harleyjsb]

WHAT NO KICKER.......................









Say it ain't so...............

[trmn8r]

eeehhh had to read my manual to find out just cause the thread made me curious. I would of sworn mine just had a micro switch mounted on the master cylinder myself.


sometimes here lately my truck wont start and I kick the crap outa it... it aint started from that either

[harleyjsb]

eeehhh had to read my manual to find out just cause the thread made me curious. I would of sworn mine just had a micro switch mounted on the master cylinder myself.


sometimes here lately my truck wont start and I kick the crap outa it... it aint started from that either

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[thedog]

Of course you do need a Voltmeter for the test.

Too late. The video of Big Al gettin' lit up while he was pi$$in' on the wires is all over You Tube.

[BigAlsRK]

Figured at the rate I am going I will have a totally new scoot soon....one small part at a time.

[thedog]

... one small part ....

Told y'all he was pi$$in' on the wires.

[ridingjerry]

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!! Its fixed!
:woohoo:

Didn't somebody warn him about pissing on the wires??
Oh well.

Don't wory, they still kick start.
At least my XLCH does. :whistling:



Oh btw: the boobies smilie is a red X

[Bofinn]

If you're gonna piss on a bike

http://www.lightningcustoms.com/DMCMS/image.php?id=101