[hunterhartford]

Hey Everyone I need help. I've recently replaced the grips on my '03 v-rod. I've done several other things as well, but the brake light still worked. However, once I changed out the grips, the brake light does not light up when I pull the brake lever or push down on the foot brake. The light works fine in running mode. I hope I explained that right. Running lights run fine, but when the brakes are used the light doesn't light up any brighter to indicate I am braking.

Thanks
Hunter
Alexandria, VA
Old Guard Riders
EVP

 

[ImNoPrince]

I know my 06D has you place a shim in when setting , so when tightened and shim removed the Brake Switch is at a proper distance . Maybe when you did that grip you have it to close so it can't release.

The only other thing is maybe you have a pinched wire when you put everything together. Check if there is a fuse for just rear brake as well.

 

[rsc]

Look at my Sig...link that has some video info there on the levers

 

[ImNoPrince]

Yea and there is also a chance that your just not seeing any change as it's already on. I would think that is the case a simple adjust will cure .

RSC has great videos ( Thanks as I have looked at a few rather then reading my manual)

 

[hunterhartford]

rsc,

I went to the youtube link you gave, but couldn't find any videos on "levers". I saw one on replacing the bulb, I saw oil change, and rear brakes.

As for them already being on, the regular running lights are on yes, but when you hit the brakes the light intensity increases to make folks aware that you are braking. That isn't happening. I should add that I've got the LED tail light, so it is clear when you hit the brake because the LED's get really bright, or at least they are supposed to. Any more advice?

 

[hunterhartford]

Hey rsc, I went to your link and enjoyed watching how to change the oil, light bulbs and rear shocks, but I didn't see anything about "levers". In looking at the post below yours, his comment doesn't make sense. Rear lights are on, aka running lights, but they increase in intensity when braking. I would add that my rear light is of the LED kind. The running light works fine, but the intensity does not increase when the brakes are applied. the light flutters a bit when I pull the brake lever and then release it, but that's about it.

 

[El-Bobbo-Cheapo]

Seeing that neither brake turns the light on, I'd start with the fuses.

 

[hunterhartford]

Seeing that neither brake turns the light on, I'd start with the fuses.

Even with the running lights working? sorry for all the questions, just trying to figure this out, are the running and brake lights on different fuses?

 

[El-Bobbo-Cheapo]

Yes.

 

[hunterhartford]

Yes.

any idea which fuse it might be or am I just best going in and pulling each fuse to see if any are shot? There are only 8 or 9 of them, avoiding the circuit breakers of course.

 

[El-Bobbo-Cheapo]

I don't have an '03 service manual, but on mine it's the ACCY fuse.

 

[LIUNARep]

I am with El-Bobbo, I worked on mine and didn't realize I had pinched a wire putting it back together and it would immediately pop the fuse.

 

[rsc]

http://www.youtube.com/user/rscrod#p/u/10/XxnjEAtNsvQ

 

[hunterhartford]

http://www.youtube.com/user/rscrod#p/u/10/XxnjEAtNsvQ

Ah, thanks rsc, I unknowingly may have damages that damn little stop switch boot. I'm gonna take the lever out when I get home tonight and inspect the damn thing to see if I did any damage.

I checked the fuse this morning before leaving for work and all the fuses were fine, so I'm really only left with that stop switch boot.

Fingers crossed that's not the problem.

 

[El-Bobbo-Cheapo]

You said the rear brake won't activate the light either, right? The only way the front could create a problem for the rear is by blowing the fuse.

 

[hunterhartford]

You said the rear brake won't activate the light either, right? The only way the front could create a problem for the rear is by blowing the fuse.

My other thought is that if I somehow damaged that stop switch boot, possibly what I am seeing is the brake light engaged full time rather than it being the more dim running light, if that makes sense. In that case I could see how it would affect the rear as well. If the electrical signal being sent to the light is telling it the hand brake is activated because that stop switch boot was damaged in some way then instead of the running light it is in constant high intensity mode as if the brakes are being used.

 

[El-Bobbo-Cheapo]

What you're saying makes perfect sense, I was going by what you said in post 5 that the brake light wasn't coming on at all.

 

[hunterhartford]

What you're saying makes perfect sense, I was going by what you said in post 5 that the brake light wasn't coming on at all.

Yeah, the more I thought about it, it does make sense that maybe the problem isn't that the light isn't lighting up when I brake, but rather, it is in a constant state of high intensity because something is preventing it from going back to the more dim running light mode. That seems to me to be more likely at this point since I've checked the fuses and everything else and it seems to be affecting both front and rear brake, so it's got to be something in the front brake sensor area.

 

[El-Bobbo-Cheapo]

If you think the light is staying on, pull the fuse and see if it dims.

 

[hunterhartford]

If you think the light is staying on, pull the fuse and see if it dims.

I'll give that a go tonight when I get home, but when I took a look at the fuses this morning, there was only one fuse (15amp) labeled for lights, so I am wondering if when I yank that, are all the lights going to go out...I guess I'll have to wait and see.