Lightswitch, Rear brake light switch

2 questions...

The rear brake lights stay on after engaging the front brakes. I have to force the brake lever back out for the light to go out. I have a new switch but wonder if this is something gummy inside the master cylinder? How do I check that? I tried a little bit of oil on the slide pin that goes into the lever to see if it freed up anything sticking but no change.

Second question, my high beam/low beam switch is really scary. I drive with the high beams on at night as I am driving through deer and raccoon country when I drive home from my parents house, or when driving to work and it's still dark out. The switch has "failed" a couple of times leaving me without headlights for a few seconds. Not what I call an easy feeling when all you have are your marker lights. Probably freaks out oncoming drivers as well. If you jiggle the switch with your thumb, the low beams will come back on. Is this something that can be repaired or should I replace this?

 

Sticking rear brake light is the switch, not the m.c.

Removing switch and lubing it more in an upside down position might fix it.

First thing to try on headlight switch problem is WD-40 or similar sprayed in through the slot around turn signal button and next to the hi/low switch, then flip the switch a few times.

 

The light switch may be as easy as just cleaning the contact's, my first guess. The brake issue is one of serious concern though. If the lever or piston does not release completely it can cause the brakes to drag and overheat and drag or lock up the front wheel. Was a victim of this a couple of times myself and both were a trip to the ground. Best to check and be sure the problem is behind you before riding further. The first time I had this problem it was a poor aftermarket lever I installed and just jumped on and went for a ride. Could be a simple as that but please be careful.

 

TC, that bike has the traditional, old spring-pull mechanical switch, no ???

 

What model bike you got? 5th gen I assume?
Hi lo switch-Generally its little plastic parts that break off inside and cannot be easily repaired without expertise and engineering. Just get a new one especially if lights are going off thats very unsafe.
I had my front brake switch go out / it was out when I got the bike. Just replace it espcially if you got a new one. I took mine apart and there was no fixing it as little parts were broke and too small to repair. Yours is probably broke beyond the little button anyway and you dont want to put oil into an electrical contact anyway.
The front bake switch has nothing to do with the front master cyl. It is on the bottom of the lever if I remember right.
Sounds like your bike could use some general overlooking and maintence.

 

He did say front brakes my friend. That is the concern.

 

You're right, TC. I misread "Lightswitch, Rear brake light switch" at beginning of post........but front switch is also mechanical, not hydraulic, and only fails by not going on, not by staying on ?? So doesn't that lead us back to the rear switch as culprit ??

 

That is the cause of concern.

 

So he needs to lube the pivot point on the lever and check for a sticky push plunger and maybe squirt some WD-40 or similar in there ?

 

hah im dumb, I forgot there are only rear brake lights... hurrr.....:crazy:

Yes, the front brake lever is what is sticking.

Example, front brakes on, lever goes in as normal, take my hand off the brake lever, it returns to normal, but the brake lights are still on. Push the brake lever a little bit forward and the lights go out as they should. By "forcing" I meant to say that I just put a little bit of pressure on the lever pushing it forward. It's not like the brakes are actually stuck on, but the light switch is on so the lever is being held in position just enough to trip the brake switch.

I haven't pulled it apart yet and didnt wanna start picking at things until I had a better idea of what to try.

The hi/lo light switch moves up and down properly, its when I switch back to lo from hi that the lights have gone out completely and you have to jiggle the switch with your thumb to get them to come back on. I'll try the WD40 on it and see if it helps when I get access to it. Right now its in my parent's garage about 40 mins away.

Thanks for the replies!