RG150 tail light

[Hoggy]

The light goes when you use the foot brake but not when I use the hand brake. I'm going to book into do my full Licence but they will ping me on this, I do have a current warrant, but they always do a check before you start.

[cbfb]

OK, what have you done so far to investigate/fix the problem?

[notme]

Points 4 and 5 here might help you: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/132696-Basic-troubleshooting-steps?p=1129943048#post1129943048

Point 4 is "get the right tools" - a multimeter or test light will help you fix this, and Point 5 "check the common causes" has some suggestions.

Basically, check that the brake lever switch is clicking when you pull the lever, check the wires coming from it for obvious problems like being trapped/cut/insulation damage.

The circuit for the brake lights is simply 2 switches in parallel, activating either switch supplies power to the light. Your light works with one switch, so we can rule out the bulb or bulb holder or associated wiring, and you are not blowing fuses when you try the front brake lever, so it's likely to be the front switch not making contact or a break in it's wiring rather than a short.

Could be as simple as the switch needing adjustment if the lever is not pressing on it, but if you hear the switch click and the light does not come on, then you probably have a broken wire.

[Hoggy]

OK, what have you done so far to investigate/fix the problem?

nothing I will try out what allun has suggested and go from there thanx

[Hoggy]

Points 4 and 5 here might help you: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/132696-Basic-troubleshooting-steps?p=1129943048#post1129943048

Point 4 is "get the right tools" - a multimeter or test light will help you fix this, and Point 5 "check the common causes" has some suggestions.

Basically, check that the brake lever switch is clicking when you pull the lever, check the wires coming from it for obvious problems like being trapped/cut/insulation damage.

The circuit for the brake lights is simply 2 switches in parallel, activating either switch supplies power to the light. Your light works with one switch, so we can rule out the bulb or bulb holder or associated wiring, and you are not blowing fuses when you try the front brake lever, so it's likely to be the front switch not making contact or a break in it's wiring rather than a short.

Could be as simple as the switch needing adjustment if the lever is not pressing on it, but if you hear the switch click and the light does not come on, then you probably have a broken wire.

Thanx I'll have a look tomorrow & let you know

[cbfb]

nothing I will try out what allun has suggested and go from there thanx

Ah OK, just didn't want to suggest stuff you'd already done.

Do what Allun said, the multimeter PDF file on his post is awesome.

First thing I always do is clean contacts with sandpaper, compressed air then a squirt of CRC.

Apart from that the brake switch circuit is pretty simple so you should be able to easily isolate the problem with a multimeter.

Good luck :)

[Hoggy]

Ah OK, just didn't want to suggest stuff you'd already done.

Do what Allun said, the multimeter PDF file on his post is awesome.

First thing I always do is clean contacts with sandpaper, compressed air then a squirt of CRC.

Apart from that the brake switch circuit is pretty simple so you should be able to easily isolate the problem with a multimeter.

Good luck :)
Found it the little switch that activates it is broken I'll try and source a new one cheers

[Hoggy]

Thanx I'll have a look tomorrow & let you know

Looks like the little switch is broken it wasn't clicking like you said I'll source a new one Cheers.

[notme]

Has it got obvious signs of physical breakage? Can you make it click by hand? Have you tried shorting the switch contacts to make sure that's the problem?

Just checking in case it's fixable for free :-)

[cbfb]

Found it the little switch that activates it is broken I'll try and source a new one cheers

Nice one :)

[Hoggy]

Has it got obvious signs of physical breakage? Can you make it click by hand? Have you tried shorting the switch contacts to make sure that's the problem?

Just checking in case it's fixable for free :-)

You can't click it by hand the only way to make it work is to tilt it from side to side it's loose I think it should be springy,this is the little square button on the side of the switch?

[notme]

yup sounds like it's dead, you should be able to press the button that the brake lever normall acts on and it should activate the lights and return on the spring. Worth checking because sometimes the lever is just not pushing on the switch. Sorry but if any switch has rattles it's time for a new one :-(

[Hoggy]

yup sounds like it's dead, you should be able to press the button that the brake lever normall acts on and it should activate the lights and return on the spring. Worth checking because sometimes the lever is just not pushing on the switch. Sorry but if any switch has rattles it's time for a new one :-(

New switch fixed it Boyds had one in stock, what are the chances of that, all good to go thanx for your help. I'll be bookin in for my full Licence next week.