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Probably a time wasted, brake switch repair

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454 views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  Fox  
#1 ·
On Saturday I made plans to go for a ride yesterday (Monday). However as one of the random little problems my new to me 2006 DL1000 front brake was not turning turning on the brake light. I did some quick tests and jumping the wire turned on the light showed it was the switch.

I didn't have enough time to order a switch so I took a crack at repairing it. I drilled out the three holes in the top of the switch a little to expose them as 2 separate pieces. Using a utility knife I pried the case halves apart exposing the inner workings, just a micro-switch designed for normally closed.

Examining the switch, it functioned correctly but the contact point were carbon-ed up and worn. I cleaned and sanded them down for good continuity. After some testing and a quick bit of tetrus to re assemble the switch (side note don't operating the switch too much outside the case or it will happily break down into tiny little bits), I had a functioning switch. I put the case back together and in the holes I drilled earlier I melted the the case parts together with a soldiering iron. I then gave a each hole a dab of epoxy for final sealing.

This way probably a waste of time as a new switch is $9.00 on amazon but I was in a rush and didn't have time for delivery, call it a successful little project.


 
#2 ·
Well done. I had the same switch go bad in my bike, and oddly it was causing brake light bulbs to burn out. Eventually those contacts welded and melted part of the assembly to the open position.
 
#3 ·
Last year my front brake light switch failed and I bought a switch for a Burgman off ebay (same part number) for about $16 shipped. In my view, used OEM parts off ebay are better than random chinese junk of unknown reliability/quality from Amazon. I also refurbed the old switch similar to what you did and now have a spare.
 
#4 ·
Sometimes, a dodgy switch like this can be "fixed" (at least temporarily) by shooting some WD-40 (or better yet electrical contact cleaner) into it. Have seen it get the contacts clean enough to run for a good long stretch. On the other hand, I'm totally a take it apart, understand the failure mechanism, and put it back together to see if it works guy too. Nice work.
 
#5 ·
That can definitely work for some switches - especially if there's a hole for that purpose, or for drainage. I do remember noticing my own brake switch had a hole, but on disassembly it looked like anything sprayed into it probably wouldn't reach the contacts.