• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

brake light

  • Thread starter Thread starter not a biker
  • Start date Start date
N

not a biker

Guest
my brake light does not come on with the front brake lever , it does come on with the rear brake on. think it might just need adj at the switch , or do these switches go bad often. thanks. i do have a shop manual and know how to test this. i just thought i would ask.
 
there is a switch. its under an elliptical cover on the clamp. they sometimes go bad. you can get a new oem one or a hydraulic pressure switch that activates with a change in pressure of the brake fluid.
 
They usually just get corroded and need a good cleaning. Mine was that way when I bought it, as well. Take things apart at the right hand control (two screws underneath) and carefully remove the switch assembly, making sure not to loose any of the small stuff. Clean the brass/copper contacts and coat them lightly with dielectric grease and reasemble.
That's it. If that doesn't fix the problem, you'll need to trace power with a multi tester.
 
It's a really crappy switch design, and they pretty stop working on every GS eventually. Sometimes you have to loosen the screws and slide it one way or the other a bit until it works correctly, or file the mounting holes a bit so you can move it a little further

You can get a replacement switch from Suzuki for about $10, or an aftermarket equivalent for the same amount.

Mine eventually wore out at about 80,000 miles, so I replaced it with an equivalent from CRC2:

Third item down, $8.95:
http://crc2onlinecatalog.com/brake_light_switches.htm
 
When you get it apart just short the 2 copper strips on the board if the light comes on your wiring is ok. If not you have to trace the wires to track it down. If the spring is mush you can use 1 from a ball point pen cut to length. Good luck
 
Last edited:
bk sw

bk sw

thank you for all the good info. what will fall apart as i take it apart ? springs balls etc ?
 
not a biker said:
thank you for all the good info. what will fall apart as i take it apart ? springs balls etc ?
Click to expand...

Nothing will go flying at high speed, but it is pretty common for bits to fall out on the floor and get lost.

Just hold it in with your thumb while removing the screws, then slowly lower it with your hand cupped over the switch and you shouldn't lose anything.

If you're replacing the switch, you'll also have to take the headlight out to reach the connectors tucked into the headlight bucket.
 
It might be a little easier if you loosen the 2 bolts that hold the master
cylinder to the handle bar and rotate it alittle. Good luck
 
i had this problem this summer...like lucabond says, the brake light wire has these two little contact stips...mine had worn down completely, so i had to order another one. cost 10 bucks.

the trick is the little doohickey that lodges in the brake lever. i could not get it in there for the life of me. the only way i was able to do it was, first make sure the cap on the brake fluid reservoir is screwed tight...then i turned the whole assemble upside down, put the doohickey into its groove, and i was good to go.

i know how to do nothing. and i was able to do this. with lucabond's help.
 
Definetly flip over the master before attempting to work on the switch or the bits will spring out and get lost.

Copy_of_frt_brake-clutch_switch_-1.jpg

Copy_of_frt_brake-clutch_switch_suz.jpg
 
Nessism said:
Definetly flip over the master before attempting to work on the switch or the bits will spring out and get lost.

Copy_of_frt_brake-clutch_switch_-1.jpg

Copy_of_frt_brake-clutch_switch_suz.jpg
Click to expand...

... and/or (preferably and), have a friend hold a container beneath the switch when you take it apart and when you attempt reassembly. Perhaps an empty bucket. Once it's apart you will see clearly what needs to be done. It's a very simple design.
 
thanks to all

thanks to all

yep cleaned the contacts and the switch works now. i had to do it a few times. just cleaning did not work. one strip was worn and i a had to elongate the holder to get a good contact. mucho thanks.
 
Cleaning it properly makes a difference in performance and longevity, but the latter is extended with the right grease added.


Also


BEFORE opening the switch, get a large, clear, plastic bag.

Put the bag around the switch, put your hands inside and do the work inside the bag.

Nothing gets lost.:)
 
I got a 82 650L and had the same problem. The contact and the spring were gone. I got the parts from bike bandit for about 6-7 bucks shipped. They had more parts but I didn't need any , just the missing ones. In fact the part was about 2 and the rest was shipping. Works great. Good luck
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top