4th generation brake light problem

I have a 1995 VFR and the brake light won't work. Both bulbs are fine, and the fuse is fine. The brake light won't work regardless of whether I use the brake lever or foot brake. It sounds like a relay or something, but I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction.

 

Bruce, (or anyone with same bike), get me a copy of your electrical schematic, and I will tell you where your problem is.

 

I have a pdf version of the shop manual but I wasn't able to send as an attachment. I could e-mail it if you send me your e-mail address.

Thanks for the help.

 

First thing to try might be the main connector on the left side of seat - under the side extension of the rear bodywork.I hd problems with lights before nd it just wasn't seated right.

 

have you cheaked the switches i have had the brass collar inside com of the switch and jam between the contacts inside the switch leaving it permently on destroyed the switch finding this out but they are quite cheap in the uk

 

check voltage out of the switches, start with the foot one first, and trace it out, you'll find it, probably a bad ground.

 

I'm having the same issue. Taillight illuminates, but brake lights will not come on with either switch. Fuses are all fine. Both switches are fine (there is no short when they should be open and there is continuity when they should be closed). I've tried replacing taillight bulbs. I've done a quick check of all the connections leading from the taillights themselves. Nothing obvious. Did you ever figure out what your problem was? I'll try to grab the wiring diagram out of the repair manual.

 

IDIOT, IDIOT, IDIOT!!!! I'm such an IDIOT! I figured out my own issue. My problem was not actually that my brake lights weren't coming on, my problem was that my brake lights were never going OFF! I put some lowered footpegs on a couple months ago, adjust the rear brake pedal down to compensate, and never thought to adjust the rear brake pedal switch. I was checking the bike out pre-ride after doing some work on the bike today and noticed the problem. Can't believe I hadn't caught it before. Pretty lucky to have not gotten rear-ended at some point.

Lesson learned, do a careful pre-ride as often as you can. Paying special attention to the lights, tires and controls.

 

Good for you. My pedal was not adjusted correctly out of the crate.

 

The ground is common for all the tail lights, so if they are working, I would trace the green/yellow(12V) wire. There are two connectors common two the front and back switches. The one Chewa mentioned and the one at the tail. The Green wire is the ground at those connectors, should be checked as well.

 

Glad you solved your problem. BTW, the green/white wire is NOT a ground, it's the power feed to each switch. It should have positive VDC any time the key is on. It's distributed to the green/yellow when the switches are closed. the ground is the solid green (shared with the tailight) at the connector for the light.

 

Thanks Dizzy, I probably shouldn't be reading wiring diagrams before I finish my first coffee.

 

Sure thing, just didn't want any unnecessarily blown fuses. BTW, I need several coffees AND a magnifying glass...then sometimes I still can't figure it out. Over the course of twenty plus years of troubleshooting brake lights. I just kinda figured it out.