Hi and help

[Marksneyd]

Hi all thanks for letting me join the forum.
I'm from Carlow in Ireland.
I'm having a few little problems with my 2001 firestorm.
I'm sure you great people can help me out
My brake light is very bright without pressing brake pedal or handle. And doesn't get any brighter when pulled or presses. Actually dimms a little bit.
Bulbs are fine I'm thinking a connector is in backwards or something along those lines.
Any help appreciated

[sirch345]

It sounds like your brake light is already on before touching the lever or pedal which I think you have already guessed. Take out the bulb holders complete with bulbs and see which filament lights up when you turn on the ignition/lights (to do that you need to remove the seat first). If you look at the bulbs before you do that you'll see the brakelight filament is thicker than the tail light filament. You should be able to workout from that what's happening, you can then take it from there, or get back to us,

Oops I nearly forgot, welcome aboard

Chris.

[Marksneyd]

Thanks Chris
I already had it out yes the thicker filament lights up.
I Thought it was like the brake switch was on.
But if that was true both would be lit when brake pulled has me baffled. I'm not electronic minded.

[sirch345]

Do you mean the thicker filament is lighting up when you turn on the ignition or the lights without touching the brake pedal or lever,

Chris.

[E.Marquez]

Assuming the Master cylinders, switches are stock..

Try disconnecting the rear brake light switch at the master cylinder ... Light go out?
No..ok
Try disconnecting the front brake light switch at the lever ... Light go out?

One of those should do it.. Once you ID which switch is causing the problem...you can go on to fixing it.

Do you have aftermarket levers? Its common for the Chinese levers to cause issues with the front brake light switch.

The rear switch is a pull pin contact type, and when they get old, the pin sometimes sticks.. If that is the issue, clean and give a shot of lube may free it up...but it will stick again, so order a replacement soon.

[fabiostar]

welcome along sir. a few of us on here from the emerald isle....... as above check out the bits mentioned.

[Marksneyd]

Thanks guys i will get a look at all of those suggestions tomorrow and let you know who the winner is lol

[Marksneyd]

Thanks guys i will get a look at all of those suggestions tomorrow and let you know who the winner is lol

Maybe I should have said it's my first firestorm (2001) only bought 2 weeks ago so I'm not familiar with what's supposed to be there and what is modified.
Not my first twin though can beat the sound

[Mauser5826]

Welcome to the forum mate

[Wicky]

Greetings

Check out Carl's Bike Maintenance and Upgrades/Modifications thread

and VTR1000F (Superhawk) Firestorm Service Manual PDF

Thanks guys i will get a look at all of those suggestions tomorrow and let you know who the winner is lol

Maybe I should have said it's my first firestorm (2001) only bought 2 weeks ago so I'm not familiar with what's supposed to be there and what is modified.
Not my first twin though can beat the sound

[Marksneyd]

Sorry for the delay if I remove the 2 little wires from the front hand brake lever. The back light works like it should.
Swapped the wires around still same problem. Think the switch in the control may be broken
Any ideas people

[Marksneyd]

This is the culprit of my recent headache

[tony.mon]

Meter the switch.
It either makes or breaks, nothing fancy.
You can demount the clutch switch and try that, but it won't fit as they're not interchangeable. Just plug it into the wires. It will be fine for checking if it's the switch that's at fault.

[cheekykev]

Just get a new front break switch, it's probably goosed inside caused by water ingress, they're about £12 from a Honda dealer, I had one fail on my SP2, easy to replace.

[Marksneyd]

Thanks dudes.
I Will go with the new switch if there that cheap be done with it then.