Brake lights are on all the time. Pulled bulb socket and confirmed brake light portion of bulb is burning whether lights are on or off, and whether handles are pulled, or whether pedal is pushed down.

It seems there are two switches on the right hand lever that activate when the lever is pressed, but not sure if one or both are used to activate the brake lights.

Also looks like there is a plunger type switch attached behind the brake pedal via a spring connection. I pulled it in and out, but no change to the lights being on all the time.

I just got this used ATV and don't have a lot of experience with it just yet. Hoping someone could give me some guidance on troubleshooting -

<span class="FTHighlightFont">Bottom line:</span ft>

Thanks in Advance.

 

Often there is an adjustable linkage on the plunger type switch on the brake pedal, and they can also get durty and not want to return fully.

Try pushing the plunger in, and if that does it, it needs cleaned and/or adjusted.

If that isn't it, unplug the wires to the switch. That will tell you if it is the pedal's plunger switch, or the handlebar's switch.

I believe the upper switch on the handlebar is for the brake lights, but I could be mistaken, so if unhooking the pedal brake light switch doesn't make it go off, try pulling one of the connectors on the upper switch.

 

Thanks for the quick reply.

I pulled wires from both right lever switches. The light did not turn off. I also checked the lever switches for proper closing/opening with a multimeter....all good to go.

I then took a look at the plunger switch attached to the brake pedal. It seems to be working ok, but couldn't disconnect just yet. The wire connection at the switch it integrated to the switch and can't be removed. The other end of the wire is buried somewhere in the frame beneath a cowling. So,...it still remains for me to check this one out.

In the meantime, I've ordered a manual from Helm for the future.

So, haven't solved the issue just yet....

Thanks.

 

There may also be a rear brake light switch on the left handlebar.

If your machine is like my 500 Foreman, the connector for the brake pedal switch is a yellow 2 pin connector, mounted along the frame. You have to remove the seat, and pull starter cover.

 

Yep, it would seem logical to have a switch for the left brake handle too. It isn't apparent at the handlebar though -- might be integrated into the shift/light/kill switch though.

Thanks again for the other hints.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: tncrom

Yep, it would seem logical to have a switch for the left brake handle too. It isn't apparent at the handlebar though -- might be integrated into the shift/light/kill switch though.

Thanks again for the other hints.</end quote></div>


The left handlebar lever (rear brakes) activate the same plunger switch as the pedal does. It's a cable operated mechanical brake setup.

(or at least my 420 is set up that way)

 

It must be different than the Foreman, then.

It is set up with a switch on each handle bar, and on the brake pedal. The rear pedal switch is activated when the foot pedal lever moves, and the left handlebar also activates the rear brake, but without moving the foot pedal lever.

The Rincon is set up similarly, with 3 switches.

 

I haven't checked, but can a fellow upload a picture on this forum?

 

Yeah. If you use "reply" instead of "quick reply" there's a button for inserting a photo.

You would need to have the photo hosted online, or you can upload photos, which I think was under "my page". Once you have photos approved in your gallery, you can use that URL to insert one of the photos in your gallery into a thread.

 

Thanks for info. Nice machine by the way.

Now for the good news....

Brake light problem is solved. There <u>is</u> a switch on the left which is activated by the left brake lever. The lever has a tab on it which pushes up against the switch button to open the switch. Well, the tab wasn't hitting the switch button. I fiddled around with the lever a bit and the pivot point for the lever and was able to get it to consistently work.

So to recap, there appear to be three brake switches:

Left lever
Right lever
pedal

Note too, that the pedal switch is not activated by the left lever as speculated in the reply chain.

Thanks to all of y'all for your help!