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Probably a time wasted, brake switch repair

407 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.


 
#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.