RiderSite.com - Motorcycle Forums

Noticed today that my brake light is sticking on, it happens whether you use the front brake lever or the rear pedal. If you turn the ignition off and then on it goes out. Any ideas where to look for the problem or is this one for the garage as I am electrically ignorant & incompetent!

Interesting one.

Usually it's the switch sticking but if you are sure it happens with both then unless you've been very unlucky they are unlikely to both have failed
I'm not an electrics expert but would assume that in order for the light to be on (It is both bulbs?) a circuit has to be created and if neither switch is doing that then something else must be - a shorting out perhaps . But why only once you have used the brakes?

Are you using standard bulbs or LEDS?
Have you done any wiring work recently?

Its both lights which are just standard bulbs. I thought it was very strange that the lights stayed on whether I pulled the lever or pressed the pedal, never seen that before, hence the question

Most odd - I've just looked at the wiring diagram and there's nothing that easily explains it from an electrical point of view.
I'd certainly agree with Fausto that it's probably something to do with the switch contacts not releasing - unusually both doing the same thing. That said, you wouldn't expect it to clear by cycling the ignition switch ..... unless, maybe in switching it you were giving it that bit longer to recover to the off position.

I think I'd be looking at the mechanical action of the switches here.

Anyway, I'll keep thinking ......

my front switch sticks when it has been standing for a while so even if you press the rear brake pedal the brakelight still stays on

...have had sticky rear braklight switch this week - was bent bolt in hanger messing thngs up... legacy of my welsh tumble methinkx... just discovered wifi range. just outside gaff with beer an nico-poison ... look out for more late week tipsy post from k1w1klutz er i mean k1wboy

I think it could be one of the switches sticking.
As the other switch is activated could this then power up the one which is sticking, causing the effect you discribe?

This is odd just went to tuck up my baby for the night and the problem has gone, brake light going on and off as normal??!!! Will have to have another check in the morning. All very strange

i ca'nt see this being a faulty switch when it goes off when you switch your ignition off then back on. have you got your lights on when this is happening, if so i'd check that you hav'nt got a faulty stop and tail.

No the lights were off, I have had the usual winter starting problem wondering if a dodgy battery could have had some part to play in the odd behaviour but as I said I am "electrically challenged"

EdinburghFalco wrote:No the lights were off, I have had the usual winter starting problem wondering if a dodgy battery could have had some part to play in the odd behaviour but as I said I am "electrically challenged"

No it won't be that - very simple circuit I'm thinking that something's been making the switches stick ... mechanical not electrical.

If there is a switch problem, it will most likely be the rear one, as it is in an area which is low down and collects a helluva lot of crap at this time of the year. It is one of the only failures I've had on my bike over 4 1/2 years.
Not checked the wiring diagram, but if there is a relay involved this could be sticking and power from any change, ignition off and on, or even the other switch might cause things to change. You could try changing that, if there is no relay, I'm stumped as I can't think of anything else that could act this way.

HowardQ wrote: Not checked the wiring diagram, but if there is a relay involved this could be sticking and power from any change, ignition off and on, or even the other switch might cause things to change.

No Howard there isn't

Did say I hadn't checked!

Still can't think of anything that could react in that way ............ Sorry.

The bulbs are getting ideas above their station. Take them out and shout at them, let them know who's boss.