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Buell Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » BB&D Archives » Archive through February 14, 2009 » Stuck Brake Light « Previous Next »

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Hangontight
Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 01:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well, 200mi on my new Uly and I've got my 1st issue. My brake light is stuck on. If I turn the key to the accessory position the light works like normal, but when the bike is turn on the brake light is constantly on. I checked both rotors and they're not hot so I don't think either of the brakes are stuck. Anyone got a suggestion?
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Paul56
Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 03:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Unplug one switch at a time to isolate which one is sticking. Leave it unplugged til you can get it back to the dealer. Just remember to always use the other brake to be sure drivers see you.
I always check both switches- one morning the rear wouldn't work at all. Later in the day I tried to diagnose it- it worked fine then and ever since.
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Dfishman
Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 05:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My '06 did that too when new.I had about 300 miles on it when I noticed it.By the time I got to my destination it never did it again.I guess one of the switches was sticking?The first day I got my Uly it was raining.Don't know if moisture had anything to do with it.No problems since.
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Hangontight
Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 06:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thank guys!
I was on my way to the dealer to drop it off this afternoon and it starting working fine! I rode for about another 50 miles today with no problems. Dfishman, I noticed the problem last night after taking the bike to the carwash to get the salt off of it. Hence, it might be only an issue when it gets wet. Another thing is that I bought an '06 brand new only two weeks ago so it's been sitting in the dealer's warehouse for 3+ years....might have something to do with a sticking switch. Anyway, hopefully it'll be good from here on out. Thanks for the help.
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Ronmold
Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 07:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hangon, how much did you fork over for that '06? A dealer close by (too close) has 1 and I should own it!
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Dfishman
Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 08:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It's been in the rain LOTS since that first day.Never done it again.
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Hangontight
Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 09:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ronmold,
$7k + tax. Actually, they gave me $5500 trade-in on my Sportster (the exact same price I paid for it a year ago) so for $1500 I had a brand new Uly!}
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Ratbuell
Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 07:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If you were at a car wash, I'm guessing you used a pressure washer.

Bad idea.

Pressure washers tend to get past the seals on the electrical connectors and cause problems. I never wash with more pressure than a garden hose.

Actually...I've never washed my Uly. Let me edit the above statement: "I never wash my *tubers* with more than a garden hose". There. More accurate : )

Seriously, though. We don't recommend pressure washers on any bikes - HD, Buell, Metric, whatever. They just push water where it's not supposed to go.
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Hangontight
Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 08:05 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ratbuell,
Thanks for the heads up. Hopefully I didn't do any permanent damage. For the record, I did stand back a ways so as not to put the nozzle too close to the bike. And, I must clarify that the only reason I washed the bike was to get the salt off. These Illinois winters can be absolutely brutal on bikes/cars undersides.
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Ratbuell
Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 10:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hangon - oh, I know. MD is just as bad when it comes to salting the roads. If you look closely, you can *almost* tell my Uly is Barricade Orange under all that stuff, lol.

Chances are, if things have gone back to operational state now that they're dried out, you didn't do anything long-term. FWIW, the front brake switch was always an achilles' heel on the old tuber Buells. I always (out of habit) unplug mine a couple times a season, hit it with contact cleaner, and pack it with dielectric grease. Just for grins : ) The connection is easy to get to, right on the bar, just inside the handguard mount bar. IIRC it's a single spade connector with a black plastic shroud.
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Hangontight
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 05:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well guys, it did it again. This time the brake light stuck on after washing the bike (i know, i know) with just the garden hose. Was was careful not to spray any pressure on the brake handle area or the foot brake area. Where exactly are the switches? Is it the wire coming out of the bottom of the brake lever mount? How about the foot brake? Where is that switch? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Hangontight
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 07:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I found the front switch and determined that it is the culprit for the light problem. I'm gonna have the dealer send me a new one. thanks guys.
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