Why do I have a flashing brake light on the dash?

[motoswami]

I haven't ridden my 2020 F3-Limited all winter, and I'm hoping something I'm forgetting is causing this symptom.

Turned on the key and pressed the mode button to clear the "Read the Manual" warning; I cranked the engine and pressed the parking brake release, fully expecting the red "brake on" light to go off. Instead, even though the brake released in response to the button being pressed, the brake light in the gauge went to flashing mode.

I pushed on the garage floor to ascertain the brake was actually off and the bike rolled freely.

Shifting into 1st, the Spyder eased forward as expected; shifting into neutral and then reverse, everything acted normally.

Brake light is still flashing.

I took one quick turn around the cul-de-sac where I live and nothing seemed amiss. I stopped and backed into the garage. Spotting the bike where I wanted it, I pressed the parking brake button, and the parking brake engaged.
However, the brake-on redlight remained in flashing mode, and continued to flash after turning off the ignition until other lights cycled off.

Any ideas whazzup?

[Peter Aawen]

Have you checked to make sure that your Brake Master Cylinder is full? Even just a tiny amount down can result in this warning, so it might pay just to add a smidge of fresh brake fluid anyway, maybe even as much as a teaspoon full?! That might just fix the Brake Warning you're getting; if not, it's probably time to start searching for & looking at the threads & info on re-setting the Brake Pressure micro-switch.

Good Luck.

[trikermutha]

Maybe faulty brake switch or needs adjustment.

Since its pretty new take it in for warranty

Have you jacked it up over the winter by chance??

[Flamewinger]

The parking brake is separate from the main brakes. It’s a cable and motor driven system with battery power. Check the battery and it’s connections. Even a new one can go bad. Then, since it’s probably still under warranty, take it to a dealer.

[dmerpaw]

Have you checked to make sure that your Brake Master Cylinder is full? Even just a tiny amount down can result in this warning, so it might pay just to add a smidge of fresh brake fluid anyway, maybe even as much as a teaspoon full?! That might just fix the Brake Warning you're getting; if not, it's probably time to start searching for & looking at the threads & info on re-setting the Brake Pressure micro-switch.

Good Luck.

Peter's suggestion of adding just a bit of brake fluid is what cleared my warning when I had the same issues on my 2012 RTL.

[gkamer]

I haven't ridden my 2020 F3-Limited all winter, and I'm hoping something I'm forgetting is causing this symptom.

Turned on the key and pressed the mode button to clear the "Read the Manual" warning; I cranked the engine and pressed the parking brake release, fully expecting the red "brake on" light to go off. Instead, even though the brake released in response to the button being pressed, the brake light in the gauge went to flashing mode.

Any ideas whazzup?

I had that happen to my 2018 once while out of a ride. Stopped for fuel and when we got read to leave released the brake but the brake light kept flashing. I had no idea why it was happening, but bike seemed to be running normally so we pressed on. The light continued flashing. On our next rest break we pulled over and turned our bikes off. I pulled the key and wandered around for a bit. When we got ready to leave, fired up the bike and the light stopped flashing.

Hasn't done it since and no idea why it did it that time. Maybe those pesky gremlins were up to mischief.

[motoswami]

I had that happen to my 2018 once while out of a ride. Stopped for fuel and when we got read to leave released the brake but the brake light kept flashing. I had no idea why it was happening, but bike seemed to be running normally so we pressed on. The light continued flashing. On our next rest break we pulled over and turned our bikes off. I pulled the key and wandered around for a bit. When we got ready to leave, fired up the bike and the light stopped flashing.

Hasn't done it since and no idea why it did it that time. Maybe those pesky gremlins were up to mischief.

Could well be just Gremlins. After posting the original post, I went back to the garage and carefully went through the starting procedure and the flashing brake light never re-appeared. I will check the fluid level just to make sure, but fingers crossed it won't repeat.

Thanks for all the quick and helpful suggestions.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Could well be just Gremlins. After posting the original post, I went back to the garage and carefully went through the starting procedure and the flashing brake light never re-appeared. I will check the fluid level just to make sure, but fingers crossed it won't repeat.

Thanks for all the quick and helpful suggestions.

Quite often just removing the Key away from the ignition switch, will allow a complete re-boot , and code will dis-appear ..... Mike

[LongIsland]

Had the same thing and added a cap full or 2 of brake fluid and no more flashing message.

[Lew L]

.

As the brake pads wear the fluid level in the reservoir goes down a bit. The is VERY sensitive to the brake fluid level so a little bit will bring it up to the required level and no more flashing brake light.
Lew L

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Could well be just Gremlins. After posting the original post, I went back to the garage and carefully went through the starting procedure and the flashing brake light never re-appeared. I will check the fluid level just to make sure, but fingers crossed it won't repeat.

Thanks for all the quick and helpful suggestions.

Based on what I find in the 2014 RT service manual I think you have a flakey PARKING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. It's a microswitch that rides on the parking brake pulley. I think it may be sticking. Check it out.