Rear Brake Diagnostic Help Please!

[unixmachine]

I've got a 2009 Ultra Classic with almost 12k miles that today on a ride just started giving me a problem. The rear brake works fine but the brake light does not go on for the rear brake petal, it does go on for the front brake. My ABS on the rear brake does not work, I didn't have the guts to test the front brake ABS. Also the front brake will disable the cruise control but the rear brake does not! I swapped the brake and ABS fuses with the spares but no change. I also looked for codes on the spedometer but all were nonE. I thought maybe it was the switch but I'm not sure how to test it. It appears to have a constant 12 volts and if I short it out the tail light still does not go on. Any ideas?

 

[Catiee]

Check the rear brake switch on the right side of the bike down behind the exhaust. Are you still under warranty?

 

[faiqa c]

Thanks Dawg, yes I am still under warranty. How do I check the switch? It appears to be a pressure switch... As I said above... I thought maybe it was the switch but I'm not sure how to test it. It appears to have a constant 12 volts and if I short it out the tail light still does not go on.

 

[hotelfordogs111]

Are you testing the contacts on the switch with a tester when you press the brake pedal?

 

[moo2_29]

I had the opposite problem. My brake lights stayed on all the time. Dealer replaced the pressure switch.

 

[idiotzaint]

Also check the wiring from the light forward and make sure nothing rubbed, etc.

 

[edff1]

Seems that your bike is not the only 2009 that has had this issue.

http://www.hdforums.com/forum/touring-models/440698-brake-light-switch-failure-video.html

 

[Killer Queen]

Yes, DC volt meter across the two wires reads 11.? volts. No change when pressing the brake pedal.

 

[~Skellington~]

Doubt that would be an issue since the front brake works the light without an issue, right? But I'll look.

 

[Dmobsz]

All that switch is doing is connecting the two wires together that plug into it. One will be battery voltage which if you battery is fully charged is about 12.5 volts. The hand leaver has its own micro switch. It and the hydraulic wires go together in the harness plug at the fender under the seat in a Softail. Since your light works with the hand lever and you have voltage to you back pressure switch I assume you mean by grounding you really mean hooking the two wires together that are plugged into the pressure switch. Do not ground them to the frame. If you are hooking them together the wire that is not hot back there must have gotten broken between there and a few inches up under the seat since only one wire there goes to the taillight from this connection . Also with the wire off the pressure switch flip you meter to OHMS or a battery test light or buzzer across the terminals and push the foot brake pedal. It should show continuity