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Hi and help
Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 4:24 pm
by 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
Re: Hi and help
Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 8:16 pm
by 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.
Re: Hi and help
Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 8:20 pm
by 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.
Re: Hi and help
Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 8:23 pm
by 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.
Re: Hi and help
Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 8:38 pm
by 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.
Re: Hi and help
Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 9:04 pm
by fabiostar
welcome along sir. a few of us on here from the emerald isle....... as above check out the bits mentioned.
Re: Hi and help
Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 9:25 pm
by Marksneyd
Thanks guys i will get a look at all of those suggestions tomorrow and let you know who the winner is lol

Re: Hi and help
Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 9:29 pm
by 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
Re: Hi and help
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 10:42 am
by Mauser5826
Welcome to the forum mate

Re: Hi and help
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 11:17 am
by Wicky
Greetings
Check out Carl's
Bike Maintenance and Upgrades/Modifications thread
and
VTR1000F (Superhawk) Firestorm Service Manual PDF
Marksneyd wrote: ↑Sun Aug 12, 2018 9:29 pm
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
Re: Hi and help
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 6:13 pm
by 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
Re: Hi and help
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 6:18 pm
by Marksneyd

- This is the culprit of my recent headache
Re: Hi and help
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 9:38 pm
by 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.
Re: Hi and help
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 7:37 am
by 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.
Re: Hi and help
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 4:10 pm
by Marksneyd
Thanks dudes.
I Will go with the new switch if there that cheap be done with it then.