Hello.

While on a Sunday afternoon ride last week, a fellow-biker waved me down in traffic to let me know that my brake lights weren't working--it was very thoughtful of him to do so.

When looking into the problem (using the Haynes Manual), I made the odd discovery that my brake lights are not actually failing to work: they are working all of the time: there is a constant supply voltage of 11.58v at the green/yellow brake light wire. This, for all practical purposes, amounts to the same thing (visually) as the brake lights not working at all. In other words, I can't ride the bike safely this way.

It sounds like there might be a pinched or shorted wire somewhere in the wiring harness. I don't see any relay in the circuit, so I'm puzzled as to what might be causing the constant voltage of 11.58v at the brake light terminal.

Thanks for your help.
--Professor Chaos

 

You need to isolate it, front or rear?

 

Check the front & rear brake switches

 

It's usually the front switch. The little "plunger" that the lever contacts is probably dirty and stuck in....

 

Could be the rear too. It has an adjustment on it, where the spring connects. I've seen the front switches fail off, but have yet to see one fail on. Good luck.

 

Thanks, Hawkrider.

The rear brake light switch adjustment was indeed the culprit: I just replaced the switch last week, and I didn't think to check the threaded adjustment when I installed it. It was way out of whack. Perhaps Honda leaves the knurled adjustment wheel for the switch all the way out of adjustment so that you will adjust it properly at installation....Now, I know. lol

cheers,
--Professor Chaos