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View Full Version : Brake lights flashing when bike is off


GatorOdie
05-18-2019, 06:45 PM
Searched and could not see this issue on any forum: rode through nasty storm two weeks ago (I know...but we were on way home from escorting the Rolling Thunder traveling Vietnam wall) and I was told my brake lights were flashing hours later. It was parked and off, never had this issue before. Sure enough, it ran the battery down and required a jump off. No codes are coming up, hubby test rode and parked it, brake lights again flash when bike is off, no key in it. He checked and said the main relay is very hot. Suggestions? 2011 RTSM5, 22k miles. Thanks for this forum!:banghead:
billybovine
05-18-2019, 07:12 PM
Defective brake light switch or short is the wiring harness. The main relay has nothing to do with it. The brake light circuit is always on. Even with the key off.
GatorOdie
05-18-2019, 07:45 PM
I have a feeling it's the wiring harness...sigh...thanks for the info!
CopperSpyder
05-18-2019, 07:56 PM
one thought. Some people have added a large Brake pedal and the weight of that will some time be to much on an older brake spring. Some have had to add a seconded spring for the bigger pedal so the brake light will not come on by it self. See if your brake pedal has play in it, is it all the way back?
GatorOdie
05-19-2019, 04:24 PM
it is...it is the original small brake pedal. This started after a hellacious Florida rainstorm!
CopperSpyder
05-19-2019, 05:09 PM
it is...it is the original small brake pedal. This started after a hellacious Florida rainstorm!

Ok just a thought if you do not have any back play then it is more then likely what billybovine said above.
JP58
05-19-2019, 08:14 PM
The brake switch could be bad or sticking. I would check that. Spray with electrical cleaner.
SpyderAnn01
05-19-2019, 11:20 PM
Nasty storm = dirt on brake light switch
Haze
05-19-2019, 11:46 PM
The OP stated the brake lights FLASH. When the brake switch
is defective the brake lights are off or on not flashing.
This makes me wonder about the emergency flashers.
Bfromla
05-20-2019, 02:46 AM
Searched and could not see this issue on any forum: rode through nasty storm two weeks ago (I know...but we were on way home from escorting the Rolling Thunder traveling Vietnam wall) and I was told my brake lights were flashing hours later. It was parked and off, never had this issue before. Sure enough, it ran the battery down and required a jump off. No codes are coming up, hubby test rode and parked it, brake lights again flash when bike is off, no key in it. He checked and said the main relay is very hot. Suggestions? 2011 RTSM5, 22k miles. Thanks for this forum!:banghead:
Disconnect battery for safety till you can have bike tested. Just removing relay is not enough. You may need to let the hard to reach spots air dry (in the sun)few days at least if water did get in somewhere deep.
billybovine
05-20-2019, 08:44 AM
Nasty storm = dirt on brake light switch

That is a good possibility. Water by itself should have no effect on and of the systems.
stevencovert
05-20-2019, 06:48 PM
Just to toss out there - you said battery ran dead & brakes flashing. I assume when key off the brake lights were on. On the 2013's the brake switch is really close to the "2nd muffler", like 1/2" away and gets stupid hot and fails (sticks on). I had to kick the pedal many times to get it off. I wound up folding up muffler bandage tape into a thick wad and stuffing it between the muffler and switch - no more sticks. Not sure if the frame changed in 2013 to cause this. Just something to look for when you have it up on ramps :)