I just noticed yesterday that my brake running light was fine when I turned the ignition on but when I hit the brakes Front (F) and Rear ( R) the brake light didn't come on.
Here is what I did:
Step 1) Check the TOP rear brake bulb filament - only one filament (the running light one) was on even when I hit brakes (F&R). The other filament was not broken -visual inspection.
Step 2) Check the 10 Amp fuse (visually) -it was fine.
Step 3) Check the front brake lever switch - used a multimeter continuity test. It seemed fine and beeped when I hit the front brake lever.
Step 4) Check the rear brake lever switch - it wasn't fine and showed a closed loop without hitting the brake lever. It needs to be adjusted.
What should I check next? If the rear brake lever light switch is always on - both the bulb filaments should light up.
I am thinking that there is a connection issue between the F/R brake switches and the bulb itself.
Pull out the bulbs and check them again under good lighting with a magnifier if you have older eyes. I have been fooled before. It is the most common reason for your problem.
If the bulbs are truly good, then clean the brake switch with electric contact cleaner. You didn't mention if you operated the foot brake and checked illumination...
No illumination with foot brake as well. Even if I disconnect the foot brake light switch - both filaments should light when I hit the front brake lever.
I did this just as a test and no luck.
I will reinspect the bulb with a multimeter. There are 2 bulbs for rear brakes. Whats the probability of both of them having the same 1 fused filament.
It's not that they burn out at the same time...it's just that when I get around to checking them, they are both burned out. Has happened to me twice!
P. S. Get the Honda OEM part bulbs...they have three metal supports for the filaments. This is for resistance to vibration. The auto parts store bulbs that fit will only have two metal supports for the filament and that will lead to vibration fatigue and breakage of the filament prematurely.
Thank you....will check the bulbs again tonight...and thanks for the OEM bulb recommendation - I was planning to go to pep boys :biggrin: .
Pep boys bulbs would of course be OK while you are waiting for the OEM's. :beer:
It may of course be your switches, or fuses, but you said you checked the fuses (up by the right front cowl pocket), so what are the chances of both the hand lever and foot lever switches being bad at the same time?
It's not that they burn out at the same time...it's just that when I get around to checking them, they are both burned out. Has happened to me twice!
P. S. Get the Honda OEM part bulbs...they have three metal supports for the filaments. This is for resistance to vibration. The auto parts store bulbs that fit will only have two metal supports for the filament and that will lead to vibration fatigue and breakage of the filament prematurely.