84 FXR no front brake light

e7171 · Nov 4th, 2009, 08:33 PM

Had to replace the throttle cables, now I have no brake light when I pull the front brake lever. Rear brake lights up OK. Wiring to front brake is good and voltage to the switch is also good. I think I may have disturbed something in the lever assembly any ideas?

glider · Nov 4th, 2009, 08:51 PM

Open up the switch housing and make sure the switch is still in place where it belongs. You should always shim the brake handle when doing work on the switch housings so it's in a slightly operated position otherwise you break the brake light switch.

NEWHD74FAN · Nov 4th, 2009, 09:33 PM

Yep, if you do not shim the lever...the stop light switch plunger can bind up or snap off a bit of the plastic housing rendering it useless...all you can do is remove the fasteners, keeping them in hand and carefully check behind the lever and hope that nothing is broken. Sometimes you can get lucky and it is jammed up but salvageable...cross your fingers (after you get it back together as you need both hands for this job), and watch out for loose copper shim/parts that may fall out. Don't ask how I (we) know...

e7171 · Nov 6th, 2009, 07:56 AM

Thanks guys!! I'll take a look at it this evening. If the switch is not salvageable what are my options?

STEVE07 · Nov 6th, 2009, 08:27 AM

If the switch is broke and both pieces are there you can Krazy glue them back together,if not go to the dealer buy a new one and install.

Polarbear · Nov 6th, 2009, 02:44 PM

I bought a new switch off of E-bay for $5.95 and another 2.00 for shipping. when I recieved it I found out it was from drag specialties.

e7171 · Nov 6th, 2009, 09:20 PM

Thanks for all the ideas. I got into it a little while ago and found the hot wire had broken loose at the solder joint on the switch. Dug out the old soldering iron and 10 minutes later I was back in business. I will remember to shim the lever if I need to get in there again.

NEWHD74FAN · Nov 10th, 2009, 12:22 AM

Bravo E7171! No harm, no foul and wouldn't you know it, it was a broken wire...! With all the complexity and wiring connection and bundling conditions in there, while rare, it can be collateral damage if reworking in the vicinity of the controls or bar mods are done.

Nov 4th, 2009, 08:33 PM	#1
e7171 Start The Engine Ride: 1984 FXRT Join Date: Dec 26th, 2007 Location: Ocala Florida Posts: 32 My Mood:	84 FXR no front brake light Had to replace the throttle cables, now I have no brake light when I pull the front brake lever. Rear brake lights up OK. Wiring to front brake is good and voltage to the switch is also good. I think I may have disturbed something in the lever assembly any ideas?

Nov 4th, 2009, 08:51 PM	#2
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,064 My Mood:	Re: 84 FXR no front brake light Open up the switch housing and make sure the switch is still in place where it belongs. You should always shim the brake handle when doing work on the switch housings so it's in a slightly operated position otherwise you break the brake light switch. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Nov 4th, 2009, 09:33 PM	#3
NEWHD74FAN Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200RS Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 4,979 My Mood:	Re: 84 FXR no front brake light Yep, if you do not shim the lever...the stop light switch plunger can bind up or snap off a bit of the plastic housing rendering it useless...all you can do is remove the fasteners, keeping them in hand and carefully check behind the lever and hope that nothing is broken. Sometimes you can get lucky and it is jammed up but salvageable...cross your fingers (after you get it back together as you need both hands for this job), and watch out for loose copper shim/parts that may fall out. Don't ask how I (we) know... __________________ Please stop by the "Self Help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<<

Nov 6th, 2009, 07:56 AM	#4
e7171 Start The Engine Ride: 1984 FXRT Join Date: Dec 26th, 2007 Location: Ocala Florida Posts: 32 My Mood:	Re: 84 FXR no front brake light Thanks guys!! I'll take a look at it this evening. If the switch is not salvageable what are my options?

Nov 6th, 2009, 08:27 AM	#5
STEVE07 Moderators Ride: 2007FLHTC Join Date: Oct 4th, 2008 Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada Posts: 3,577 My Mood:	Re: 84 FXR no front brake light If the switch is broke and both pieces are there you can Krazy glue them back together,if not go to the dealer buy a new one and install. __________________ Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Nov 6th, 2009, 02:44 PM	#6
Polarbear Contributor$ Ride: 1977 FXE Join Date: Sep 8th, 2009 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 249 My Mood:	Re: 84 FXR no front brake light I bought a new switch off of E-bay for $5.95 and another 2.00 for shipping. when I recieved it I found out it was from drag specialties. __________________ I'll get all the sleep I need when I'm dead!

Nov 6th, 2009, 09:20 PM	#7
e7171 Start The Engine Ride: 1984 FXRT Join Date: Dec 26th, 2007 Location: Ocala Florida Posts: 32 My Mood:	Re: 84 FXR no front brake light Thanks for all the ideas. I got into it a little while ago and found the hot wire had broken loose at the solder joint on the switch. Dug out the old soldering iron and 10 minutes later I was back in business. I will remember to shim the lever if I need to get in there again.

Nov 10th, 2009, 12:22 AM	#8
NEWHD74FAN Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200RS Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 4,979 My Mood:	Re: 84 FXR no front brake light Bravo E7171! No harm, no foul and wouldn't you know it, it was a broken wire...! With all the complexity and wiring connection and bundling conditions in there, while rare, it can be collateral damage if reworking in the vicinity of the controls or bar mods are done. __________________ Please stop by the "Self Help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<<

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84 FXR no front brake light

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