[Big Drag]

Why do the smallest parts have to be in the most inaccessible places!!
Has anyone tried to replace a Brake Light Switch lately? BLS failure was the code and my BUDS showed that it failed and needed to be replaced. Not a big deal, right? Well......

after review of my shop manual it shows to remove it, (after removing a host of body panels), by drilling the rivets!!! Installation is a reverse of the removal! 😂😂😂 Undrill the rivets I guess. 🤔 Off to the hardware for some small bolts.

Now the part they DON’T tell you! The switch appears to be buried so far under the brake mechanisms that it looks like I need to remove the footrest support panel. Which of course supports the brake pedal and related linkages, is bolted to the frame and supports the master cylinder. (Second Allen screw on the MC not shown according to the shop manual).
I will be working to finish the work tomorrow. Wish me luck. I will update.

 

[Easy Rider]

Wish me luck. I will update.

I hope you are absolutely, positively sure that the switch itself is bad.
Did you test it before digging into it's replacement ??

 

[Big Drag]

I hope you are absolutely, positively sure that the switch itself is bad.
Did you test it before digging into it's replacement ??

Many resets after getting the error code did not help. A few limp home sessions. I have BUDS with a mega tech license and all diagnostics point to a failed BLS. Changing it out is my last resort. Also gives me the opportunity to do some detail cleaning behind the panels.

 

[Big Drag]

Many resets after getting the error code did not help. A few limp home sessions. I have BUDS with a mega tech license and all diagnostics point to a failed BLS. Changing it out is my last resort. Also gives me the opportunity to do some detail cleaning behind the panels.

I hope you are absolutely, positively sure that the switch itself is bad.
Did you test it before digging into it's replacement ??

So, I am going to take your sage advice and ensure that the switch is the problem Before I get carried away with disassembly. Hooked the switch back up and lights are working. Hooked up my BUDS and cleared the error. After some detailed looking, it appears that I can get at the switch by removing the plate at the back (that the switch is riveted to) by just removing the bolts to the brake pedal and assembly. Can do all that from underneath the bike without removing the lower side panel that the floorboard is attached to. I am going to file that away for later. In the meantime, putting it all back together and we will see what happens.

 

[Easy Rider]

Changing it out is my last resort.

Computer codes don't always tell the whole story.......and sometimes they LIE.
If you can test the individual part by itself, you should DO that.
In this case, it should be a simple switch........and I wonder how the computer would KNOW if it wasn't working.

 

[Big Drag]

Computer codes don't always tell the whole story.......and sometimes they LIE.
If you can test the individual part by itself, you should DO that.
In this case, it should be a simple switch........and I wonder how the computer would KNOW if it wasn't working.

We so much rely on computers. This bike is the most ‘computerized’ I have owned. And BUDS can tell me a lot. Yet the error that came up on BUDS stated brake switch failure. So after a considerable amount of time researching how to get to it, I sprayed some WD and hope for the best. Brake lights come on each time. So it could end up being “just one of those things”. Will find out on the test ride tomorrow.

so on to changing out my fog lights. And....... now a letter to LA Monster to show them they sent me the wrong ones. 😖 I sometimes get the feeling ...... well, not going there.

 

[Easy Rider]

I sprayed some WD and hope for the best.

If that was original formula WD40, that was NOT a good choice.
Once the solvents dry out, it will leave a sticky GOO that will catch dust and almost guarantee another failure.
Now you need to flush the switch out with some alcohol or maybe brake cleaner and then blow it clean with air.

Spray silicone is much better for things like that.

 

[Big Drag]

Just a follow up and a bit of “crow” for dinner. Brake switch issue has not returned. And I was changing out the lights backwards! The bulbs they sent me were ok. I was confusing fog with main headlights (main are the lower and fog are the upper lights). That’s the crow I am eating. 😖

 

[Easy Rider]

(main are the lower and fog are the upper lights). That’s the crow I am eating. 😖

Hope you didn't choke......because that is NOT right.

"Fog" lights are always at the bottom, very near to the pavement.
Your specific year and model might not actually have fog lights at all.
Or a previous owner screwed with the wiring.

 

[Big Drag]

Hope you didn't choke......because that is NOT right.

"Fog" lights are always at the bottom, very near to the pavement.
Your specific year and model might not actually have fog lights at all.
Or a previous owner screwed with the wiring.

What I thought also. Led lights sent were labeled fog and headlights. The ones labeled fog fit in the upper and vice versa. Bike didn’t actually have “fog” lights with a switch. Just one of those ’things’. 🙂

 

[Easy Rider]

What I thought also. Led lights sent were labeled fog and headlights. The ones labeled fog fit in the upper and vice versa. Bike didn’t actually have “fog” lights with a switch. Just one of those ’things’. 🙂

No it's not "just one of those things".
You NEED to clarify the proper mounting position for the lights that you got with the seller of the lights.

Because if they are mounted wrong, they will loose something like 50% of their effectiveness AND might tend to blind oncoming drivers.
They may have sent you the wrong lights for your year and model.......and for the country where you live.

 

[Big Drag]

Right lights, was just trying to install them in the wrong holders. One of those ‘brain fart’ moments.

 

[Easy Rider]

Right lights, was just trying to install them in the wrong holders. One of those ‘brain fart’ moments.

Thank you for finishing the story.
So MANY people don't.