Fixed it, sort of. Motorcycle. Your car brakes are meant to keep you from getting into an accident. Brake lights warn other vehicles behind you when you are about to slow down or stop. 5 Reasons Why Your Brake Pedal Goes to the Floor. Spotting these crumbs points to a deteriorated bumper due to heat and age, confirming it as the cause of the problem. Yes, and back up the line, it's sad when the dealerships know more than the manufacturer. tell me what you find. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Actuation of the switch is accomplished by the interplay between the brake lever/master cylinder assembly and the light switch. If you are experiencing a brake light problem, a quick once over of the brake circuit will often identify the fault. Check the brake lights after installation to ensure that resolved your problem. However, this isnt a task that should be done without extensive automotive knowledge. One may be corroded (if so, clean the connections) or have water trapped in it bridging the connection. To do this, you will need to: Another brake assembly part that is commonly found at fault is the brake pedal switch bumper. If there is something wrong with the BCM, this could leave the brake lights stuck on. My taillight is giving me similar problems. To find the brake light switch follow that wire, or just look around on the lever. When the switch is NOT engaged, the light will come on when it is, the light is off. Last night I noticed that my brake light stays on all the time. Disclosure: We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. But that setback means that as we move from summer to early fall, getting two wheels covering the groundpaved or otherwisemeans there are just as many, if not more, of us on the road. Most likely, your stuck brake light is caused by one of these problems. check the light with the switch in and out. I can't learn chit from silence. The brake light switch is a two-way mechanism near the brake pedal and is often marked. It is interesting that sometimes a micro switch can make it's normal click sound when actuating but be bad. There are many parts of the braking system that can get corroded or covered with debris. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Certified Automotive Diagnostic Technician. The housing is easily disassembled to inspect the brake switch. Ask an Expert Car Questions Motorcycle Questions Steve, Motorcycle Mechanic 8,224 Satisfied Customers 30+ yrs. the lights pretty bright so i'm almost positive its on - wheres the brake sensors? While its extremely dangerous to drive with brake lights that dont come on, its just as scary having a set that is stuck on. Grinding sound? The expectation is that the stoplight switch is aligned with the arm and pushed to shut the brake lights off. Motorcycle Mechanic: Steve more often than not, this is caused by a broken actuator pin on the front brake light switch. Brake light sensors are an inexpensive part that may need adjusted, as you may find out when your lights won't turn off. The rear brake light also proved troublesome, even forcing Harley to recall one Touring model for failure. Noticed it when I was parking the bike. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. I have had mine short out and keep the rear brake light on. Wont start in neutral with side stand down 2008 Model. Your ohm meter is your friend! JavaScript is disabled. It is a little bit sad when the owners know more about the bike than their dealerships do. Do not forget to test the return of the switch to ensure it is properly working. Here are common ways to fix brake lights that stay on: Check the brake light switch for damage Replace blown fuses Install a new brake light switch Keep your brake pedal bumper functional Replace burnt-out bulbs Detach the car battery Keep your brake pedal dirt-free Ensure the brake pedal pushes the switch correctly Here's how to fix it. One lane user will recognize and acknowledge your presence, but the next ten users will not. Replace missing bumpers with new ones as soon as you can so that you can close out the brake circuit. Clean out any debris left behind by the old switch stopper in the hole where the bumper goes into. Fred, this NC relay looks like the thing. The switches and sensors in a braking system are responsible for telling the lights when the pedal is up or down. Dont get me wrong, its not bad any increase has to be good these days. If your brake light remains on, you need to get it fixed as soon as possible. The brake pedal spring is located under the pedal. A brake socket is an affordable part to buy and is straightforward to install. Additionally, the cruise control system uses a brake light that may not work if the switch is stuck in the position. hitting the front or rear brake doesn't do anything. Of course, being sales people they may tell you anything, but I think that is more likely than not baloney. If you cant get the brake pedal to come back up from the floor, the lights are not going to go off. Not only does this temporarily stop the brake light from being stuck, but it also helps you save battery power to be able to start the car until the issue rectifies. 1600 Kawasaki Classic. Brake lights (or taillights) are one of the most important components of an automobile. I think the VisiStop is a great addition to the bike; the unit is inconspicuous, easy to install and adds good functionality to the auxiliary LED brake light. Unscrew the threaded brake light switch by hand. 100 ultra-bright LEDs are grouped into four panels or arrangements on the left and right edges and top and bottom center, presented in a unique eye-catching design. Parking brake light stays on, e brake light stays on, harley brake light stays on, car brake light stays on, abs brake light stays on, hyundai sonata brake light stays on, brake warning light stays on, brake light stays on, mini cooper brake light stays on, emergency brake light stays on, brake light on dash stays on, brake light stays on dashboard. Fortunately, this is a fairly common problem with various Harley models, so diagnosis and repair of the failed component(s) is well documented. Brake systems are not overly complicated, so it is often quick and easy to find the source of the problem. Its actually not safe to drive a car with the brake light on, even though it may seem like it would be fine. Normally, the ECU turns on a relay letting the relay contacts supply the 12 volts. problem. Moved to oilheads. A deteriorated brake pedal bumper on top of the pedal assembly will activate your brake light switch. Brake Pedal Goes to Floor? If the brake lights on your Harley Touring model are stuck or flickering, this article will cover a few things that could be causing the problem. I thought for sure the module went bad. A hand or socket wrench can loosen the nut securing the ground cable to the battery terminal. JavaScript is disabled. I inspected the rear brake switch and everything looks normal. This switch is typically attached to the pedals arm via a bracket with two wires attached to it. Here's what could cause it and how to fix it. Register today and take advantage of membership benefits. Low levels of brake fluid affect your vehicles braking performance and brake light function. In some cases, a stuck brake light is caused not by an electrical fault. Available From: Comagination. To prevent this from happening, keep your brake pedal clean and corrosion-free. A desire to share this passion by creating beautiful and high performance products for our peers. Ask a mechanic. Then replaced the relay. If you kneel down on the drivers side, you should be able to see it. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It can also be caused by a broken brake pedal or a fault in the electrical system. Disappointing yes realistically absolutely. While there are typically no mechanical faults that prevent the bike from being ridden, a brake light that is always on can present a huge safety risk since it indicates to other vehicles when you are slowing down. The number of times you pump your brake while driving and wear and tear can take a toll on your brake lights. From a motorcycle perspective, many of us seem to have increased our desire to ride alone or together. Connect one-on-one with {0} who will answer your question. Yes. He has been working as a car mechanic for over 10 years, and the majority of them specialized in advanced car diagnostics and troubleshooting. Could also be a broken brake light switch together with other faulty bulbs if they are not working at all. After installing undertail I see that when the key is in the on position that the brake lights stay on, I go to push the brakes and does not change gust stays on all the time. Harley recommends testing circuits using a digital circuit, but a simple test light works just as well. While some issues are simple to assess and fix, others occur due to unkempt car parts. So if your brake lights are sticking on, make sure to get them fixed as soon as possible. Putting on eye protection is highly recommended as you go about locating your brake pedal switch, disconnecting the wiring pigtail, and inspecting it for damage. (running light was still on). any help would be appreciated, thanks. Definately get into the rear brake setup - lube the pedal shaft & adjust the rear brake switch - easy to do. A forum community dedicated to Suzuki Volusia and Boulevard C50 motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. However, if your cleaning does not fix the problem, then perhaps professional servicing and upkeep will. Take some WD-40 and spray the switch plunger and . Mar 15, 2005. IF this is on the 2006 listed in his profile, the ABS light should not be on beyond starting it. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. What can cause this? Will brake lights that stay on drain the battery? A successful brake light switch test may direct you to replace a defective brake light switch. Lights not illuminating or returning a 12V reading would mean that the brake switch is not receiving power, signifying a wiring problem. The brake lights turn on by means of applying +12 volts to the brake filaments, so there has to be an unintended voltage source connected to the brake lights. 10 Bad O2 Sensor Symptoms (What to Look Out For), Why Is My Car Heater Not Getting Hot Enough? If you are sure it is the rear, there is a switch attached to the rear pedal by a spring. Paint, 44 tooth rear, Corbin seat, Stage 2 jet kit, Strati Pipes, and Stripes! Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, builds, maintenance, classifieds and more! Verify that the flat portion of the switch bumper is facing the rear of the vehicle. If that was burned or melted they would do: 2) full wiring harness. Whats even worse than having a bad spring in the pedal is having a defective pedal itself. there should be only one wire running to your subframe bracket. The brake pedal switch is located near your brake pedal and you can often adjust it. Pennzoil vs. Mobil 1 Oil: Differences & Which Is Better? Now I'm stumped, damm thing has got to be drawing power from somewhere, so I pull the seat and remember I had installed a kury run/turn/brake controller. Some people choose to skip this testing process and choose to switch to a newer or better known transmission because it is simpler or cheaper. Fully releasing the parking brake will get your brake light unstuck. If this is not the problem, also unplug the rear brake switch on the rear brake master cylinder. If you install a light bulb with one circuit in a socket for two circuits, it can short the circuit, and it will cause the brake lights to come on. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. If the switch tests fine and there is still voltage coming from the relay, that indicates that the relay itself is bad. I've been to a couple of forums this morning and this seems to be pretty popular issue. I have a 99 gsxr 750 I gust installed a under tail kit with led turn signals and brake lights. Jun 23, 2015. Sometimes, the brake pedal or switch is not aligned correctly, resulting in the brake light getting stuck. JavaScript is disabled. Is it safe to drive a car with the brake light on? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. If you see otherwise, adjust the brake switch so that it gets to open the connection. Bad switch? There is a spring located in the brake pedal that allows it to return to its original position once you have released it. I'm Kris and this is my blog where I talk about all things related to ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, Jeeps, snowmobiles, and more.