I would definitely try removing the connector for each of the switches.

That and make sure your not looking at the running light and your brake light is not working. There should be only one filament on in the rear light.

 

The switch on mine anyway (02'), is adjustable for sensitivity. It's on the frame just in front of the brake peddle. Has a spring on it that pulls the switch on. It's threaded and easy to spin in or out to adjust the spring tension on the switch.

 

Welcome to the site, pull up a chair, the beer is in the fridge.

Assuming nobody has messed with the wiring and/or installed LEDs it is a pretty simple circuit.

But first, let me cover some basics....

• The Tail light and brake light are the same bulb it is a 1157 bulb (2 filliment). The taillight is not as bright as the brake light.
• When you turn the key on the taillight should allways be on.
• If, when you turn the bike off you turn the key one notch too far the taillight will stay on even without the key in, this is a safety feature in case you need to leave the bike on the side of the road at night.

Assuming the above is not the issue then you likely have a issue with one of the two switches. The most common issue is the brake pedal switch. As someone mentioned above it is adjustable and spring operated. I usually place something behind the bike so I can see the reflection of the brake light going on/off and then mess with the adjusting nut.

Let us know what you find.

 

Thanks guys, I will try to adjust the switch on the frame, and see if that helps. Have a great day.

 

9 times out of 10 that is what the problem is. BTW, the bulb would not light at all if it were bad or the fuse was bad.

 

Once, i had adjusted my break pedal and didn't realize it was hitting the switch. I rode it with the break light steady on for 2 weeks.

 

By adjusting this switch, which is the one next to the brake pedal, with the spring(I'm at work so cant go to the bike), will i affect my ability to stop?

 

No. It is only a micro-switch to activate/deactivate the brake light. It has nothing to do with your ability to stop.

 

I had the same issue on my Kawasaki 1600. I had installed a run/turn/brake controller awhile back and the controller went bad causing the brake light to stay on all the time.

 

Was told to try spraying it out in case theair was road gunk in there, so i am going to try that. You guys have put me on the right path, hopefully I can fix her this weekend.

 

You did try backing the ignition key off a notch didn't ya?

 

Cant say i have, will try that this weekend, work evenings, and run around in the day, but i will try simplest first and go from there, thanks

 

I actually found out the screw i was adjusting with the brake pedal height screw, couldnt screw with it to much since i had my son and wanted t9ospedn qt with him, all fluids are full, so hopefully this weekend getting it squared away,still gonna try backing the ignition switch a notch to see how it goes, sometimes these things are so fickle.

 

As dumb as it may sound, how about having the key turned all the way down?--I noticed this when I first got my bike. Oooops, someone beat me to it!

 

Just had this problem last night on the '07 C90T.

Rear brake switch stuck on.

A little WD-40, some contact cleaner...voula....fixed.

That switch is in a bad place. Hard to get your hands on it and easy for water to foul it.
From now on, after washing the bike I'll be hitting it with a touch of WD-40 to keep it corrosion-free!

 

Good tip!

 

Wd 40 and contact cleaner, sounds good to me, well within my mechanical aptitude,LOL.

 

I know this is an old thread but it just helped me realized that I turned my key one notch to far.

Thanks all

 

Perfect and easy fix for my 02' VL800. Brake light stopped working but running light was fine, even after replacing the bulb just to try. After finding this thread I adjusted the switch by the rear brake pedal and voila! Thank you for the insight everyone! Btw I had to back out the switch completely (tightest tension on the spring) or the brake light would come on even if I tapped the pedal with my finger. Thank you again!

 

Welcome to the site from Savannah, pull up a chair, the beer is in the fridge