Brake light works but stop light doesn't.

[Zbradley1215]

The light for the brake shines nice and bright but doesn't get any brighter when I hit either brake. Is the relay or whatever it is that's hooked to the rear brake universal or is it a specific size for the gs's.

Sorry I don't know the correct term

Thanks

[Agemax]

do you mean the tail light works but the brake light does not?
have you checked the bulb?
there is no relay just a switch on the front and rear brake levers.
check to see if you get 12v to the correct wire for the brake light when you hit either brake.
if none of these work you will have to check through the wiring and test both brake light switches, but its doubtful both switches are faulty

[tom203]

The wires are likely connected wrong at taillight- the black/white wire must be connected to bulb base ( the cylinder portion of bulb)

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I would hazard a guess and say that the switch in the front brake lever is stuck "on" all the time. It's time to take it apart, clean it up, put it back together properly and see if the problem goes away. You'll find a "how to" guide on my little website.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[bwringer]

Hi,

I would hazard a guess and say that the switch in the front brake lever is stuck "on" all the time.

Yep.

Take the bulb out and see if both filaments are glowing.

[Dogma]

Yep.

Take the bulb out and see if both filaments are glowing.

They won't be if he takes it out.

[Steve]

I would hazard a guess and say that the switch in the front brake lever is stuck "on" all the time. It's time to take it apart, clean it up, put it back together properly and see if the problem goes away.

Could also be the REAR brake switch that is sticking.

Pretty much the same procedure to fix the rear switch, just a different location.

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[mrbill5491]

Yeah check the switch for hanging and then make sure the adjustment is where it needs to be. Found mine running bright and nothing I did with the brake lever or pedal did anything to change it. I checked the connections, bulb then noticed the jam nut on the rear switch just kind of hanging in the wind. For some reason it triggered the brake light on and stayed that way. Once I got the nut back on and adjusted it, everything was fine. I thought the pin switch had to be pulled down by the brake pedal for it to activate. Like I said mine was hanging loose.

[hjfisk]

Hi,

I would hazard a guess and say that the switch in the front brake lever is stuck "on" all the time. It's time to take it apart, clean it up, put it back together properly and see if the problem goes away. You'll find a "how to" guide on my little website.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

I have to agree with Cliff

[Zbradley1215]

Thanks for all the tips guys, Ill look into all these over the weekend.

[bwringer]

Yep.

Take the bulb out and see if both filaments are glowing.

They won't be if he takes it out.

Uh, yeah. You make an excellent point...

I was thinking of a different bike where there's a little holder that comes out, then you pull the bulb.

Anyhoo, get real close and peer into the tail light, or remove the lens so you can see whether both filaments are glowing.

[Sojourner]

HA. I have this exact same problem. Hopefully your issue is simply wiring and easy to fix. Mine? Turned out that the front switch's wires were broke off inside the housing. I could have soldered the wires back together, but the switch plate was also shot so I spent the $22 on a new unit including wires. As for the rear brake, my switch is there but the longish spring that runs from the brake pedal to it is gone.

I ordered both parts on 10/8 and I'm still waiting. Not the vendor's fault or anything, it's just the damn $1.50 spring has been on back-order for a month and holding up the front brake switch with it.

[Redman]

The light for the brake shines nice and bright but doesn't get any brighter when I hit either brake. Is the relay or whatever it is that's hooked to the rear brake universal or is it a specific size for the gs's.

Sorry I don't know the correct term

Thanks

If it is that the tail light AND the brake light are both on all the time (as others have suggested). One option would be to disconnect the front brake switch and see if brake light goes out, and/or disconnect rear brake switch and see if brake light goes out. THat will tell you which is the problem.

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[Killer2600]

If it is that the tail light AND the brake light are both on all the time (as others have suggested). One option would be to disconnect the front brake switch and see if brake light goes out, and/or disconnect rear brake switch and see if brake light goes out. THat will tell you which is the problem.

.

An easier test would be to turn the key to "park" and see if the brightness is less than "on" - the brake light is non-functional in the "park" position.

The word "bright" tells me it's stuck on though.

[Redman]

An easier test would be to turn the key to "park" and see if the brightness is less than "on" - the brake light is non-functional in the "park" position.

.....

True.
THat would be a way to get just the tail light on.
(In Park the tail light is powered by the Main fuse, in the ON position the tail light is powered by the signal fuse.

ZBradley,
So, turn to Park so can se what just the tail light looks like.

THen turn to ON, and if lots brighter, then can know that it must be the brake and the tail light both on.

Then pull wire off front and rear brake swtich to determine if it is one of those that is keeping the brake light on.


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