Brake lights stay on

[BigSpenda864]

I rode last night and noticed my tail lights seemed brighter than normal. I put on the brakes and they did not change brightness. I then hit my blinkers and the light would dim and brighten back as if I were constantly holding the brake. I hit the hazards and I couldn't get them to deactivate.

I have seen suggestions about boards, etc. Do you guys think this might be a similar issue? Maybe something to do with voltage?

 

[Husker-Wolf]

When mine had that problem, I had to replace the circuit board in the front brake hand control.

 

[blacktopper]

Check the switch in the right hand control. I had to adjust more clearance in the front brake light switch.

 

[stephencs]

Same issue

Hi:

I had the same issue with my bike, turns out it was the front brake hand controller. I had gotten it wet one time after washing bike. Brake light issue disappeared after it dried out. Hope this helps.

 

[BigSpenda864]

Thanks for the info guys. How do I check these issues? I assume just open up the housing and make sure no moister is in there. Then, if that looks ok, I can check the board itself I guess. Is there a way to check the board without buying a new one?

 

[2004hdfxsti]

I had this problem in my 03 Chopper and it was a bad front brake switch

 

[Chuck Hughes]

I'm having a similar issue, but if I power off the bike, pull the bulb and put it back in, it'll work properly a few times before it sticks in the on position, which leads me to believe it's the hand control too. Except for the fact that when I push the rear brake, nothing happens. Any suggestions?

 

[Jersey Big Mike]

I'm having a similar issue, but if I power off the bike, pull the bulb and put it back in, it'll work properly a few times before it sticks in the on position, which leads me to believe it's the hand control too. Except for the fact that when I push the rear brake, nothing happens. Any suggestions?

Check the wires on the rear of the bike (break switch) is where najo bolt is on mine. DVM will allow you to check - disconnect the wires, put ohm meter across contacts (should be open) press break (rear) should them show a short/conductivity.
As for hand control, disconnect -- look at schematic for which pins are break switch -- short manually to test brake light operation. Clean contacts on pcb/switch with electrical cleaner -- reassemble.

if this fails report back

 

[bdm7250]

I'm having a similar issue, but if I power off the bike, pull the bulb and put it back in, it'll work properly a few times before it sticks in the on position, which leads me to believe it's the hand control too. Except for the fact that when I push the rear brake, nothing happens. Any suggestions?

Had a similar issue with Sue's Tejas, ended up being the small tab on the front brake lever wasn't making contact with the switch. I don't know anything about 01 Wolf, but I assume it has Harley hand controls? If so, swap the brake lever from your sportster and see if it solves the problem.

 

[Chuck Hughes]

Had a similar issue with Sue's Tejas, ended up being the small tab on the front brake lever wasn't making contact with the switch. I don't know anything about 01 Wolf, but I assume it has Harley hand controls? If so, swap the brake lever from your sportster and see if it solves the problem.

Craziest thing happened. I replaced the taillight bulb, and suddenly my brake light is working properly, and my turn signals are shutting off automatically again like they're supposed to. All cause of the taillight bulb!

 

[chubs]

Not picking on you or trying to be a smart ass, but didn't you check that bulb to start with ? But Hey. you got it working so that's the important thing !!

 

[Chuck Hughes]

Not picking on you or trying to be a smart ass, but didn't you check that bulb to start with ? But Hey. you got it working so that's the important thing !!

No. Cause I didn't think that a bulb would cause the brake light to stay on, or cause the automatic turn signal shut off to stop workin. All the other bikes, when a bulb went I either didn't have running light, or didn't have brake light, depending on which fillament on the bulb blew

 

[chubs]

No. Cause I didn't think that a bulb would cause the brake light to stay on, or cause the automatic turn signal shut off to stop workin. All the other bikes, when a bulb went I either didn't have running light, or didn't have brake light, depending on which fillament on the bulb blew

Like I said, not picking on ya! I had a light burn out once , and I started to change it with a new one. Had the bad one out, laid it down , got sidetracked with something and picked up a bulb that was laying there and plugged it in. Darn !! No light . Finally discovered That I had just plugged the bad bulb back in , after going through all the connections and wires ! I never claimed to be overly smart!!!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[bdm7250]

Craziest thing happened. I replaced the taillight bulb, and suddenly my brake light is working properly, and my turn signals are shutting off automatically again like they're supposed to. All cause of the taillight bulb!

Glad you got it figured out, thanks for updating us..

 

[bdm7250]

Usually quite rare.. Good job Chuck.