G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile

Buell Forum » Old School Buell » Archive through April 21, 2019 » Strange brake light problem « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Drhach
Posted on Saturday, November 10, 2018 - 10:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ok, here's something I've never seen. Hopefully someone can chime in on this. My brake light sticks on when I either apply the brake a few times or apply it firmly. It does it front and rear and with the front or rear brake switches disconnected. Also, if I turn off the key and turn it back on, the brake light will be off, but it will stick again. Under the above conditions.

I tried wiggling the key and it didn't fix it. I'm kind of leaning towards something in the tail light assembly. That seems to be the common thing given that it happens for both brakes.

Anyone seen or experienced this before?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

2003xb9r
Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2018 - 01:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Assuming it's your S3 with twin bulbs. Is there a stop light relay on your bike? It could have sticking contacts. Also check the bulb holders haven't got the tail and stop connections extremely close that they may touch together sometimes with vibration.
It could also be an internal short in the filaments in one of the bulbs. Seen this lots of times where one filament drops down across the other. Maybe also chaffed wiring but the possibility of a sticking relay would be my first point of inspection.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Drhach
Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2018 - 09:04 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks, it's a 1998 S3. I didn't think it had a relay for the brake light. I looked at the schematic and it doesn't show one. Although it also doesnt show a dual bulb tail light. It clearly has two bulbs though.

Dan

(Message edited by Drhach on November 11, 2018)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ratbuell
Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2018 - 08:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Take one bulb out, and try to duplicate. Say...the left bulb. If it sticks, you might have found the problem.

Put the left bulb back in, and take out the right bulb. Try again and see if it sticks. If it doesn't, it's the left bulb and/or socket. (or vice versa, if the left bulb sticks and the right one doesn't).

To further narrow down, take the physical bulb that didn't stick, and put it in the socket that did stick. That will tell you not only which socket...but also which bulb.

I assume you have disconnected brake switches one at a time? Your OP makes it sound like the lights would spontaneously turn on even with both switches disconnected...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Drhach
Posted on Monday, November 12, 2018 - 07:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Wow! That was the dumbest thing ever. I switched lights and the problem moved to the other side. I thought there were two circuits one for the bulb on the left (lights) and one for the bulb on the right ( brakes). I guess not. When I took out the offending bulb, the second dimmer light lit up with the brakes and turned off as it should.I put in a new 1157 bulb in place of the oddball and it all works. Obviously that bulb was not dual filament and the wrong bulb. Good times. Thanks for the suggestions. I was about to go down a bad road.


Dan
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ralph
Posted on Monday, November 12, 2018 - 09:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Occams razor.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Drhach
Posted on Monday, November 12, 2018 - 09:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yes indeed! it sucks that I have to relearn that. But there it is. Also, challenge your assumptions.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ratbuell
Posted on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 - 03:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

While you're in there, you might as well drill out the holes where the lens screws attach the lens. I went all the way through the black plastic, clear to over top of the tire, and used some lonnnnnng skinny bolts with nylock nuts and washers on the end.

The screws like to strip the plastic out, then you lose your lens. And, they're not as simple to replace as you'd think. Old Ducati part, can still be found if needed...but an ounce of prevention...

I'd also replaced my light source with the LED board out of a broken Ulysses taillight, so I never needed access to it again. Even so, the nut-and-screw only required one extra tool to remove if needed.
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and custodians may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration