Brake light switch?

[haynes]

Everything else brakes wise is new: lines, calipers etc.

What's the verdict on the brake light switch, are they fairly trouble free so ok to refit it? Can it be tested or rebuilt? Are there any seals that fail?

Or should i replace it with a new one?

[Peter Laidler]

Is it hydraulic or mechanical?

The only real way to test the hydraulic one is with fluid pressure although you can push a blunt, rounded piece of steel rod in to test it for continuity.

Easy to change in-situ too without needing to bleed the system.

Never had a mechanical one fail yet...... except on my Commando where it is an annual event!

[haynes]

Yep it's the hydraulic switch.

[floormanager]

Modern ones in my experience, can be of suspect quality, requiring almost a full emergency stop to get the lights working. An alternative is one for a Harley Davidson, made by Accel.

[LarryLebel]

Also, the Harley ones seem to resist silicon brake fluid better than the stock ones.

[Peter Laidler]

There shouldn't be fluid in the brake light hydraulic switch because it is at a high point that you cannot (?) bleed. Even if you loosen the switch slightly to vent the junction, the switch part will remain full of air because it is upright! It is the air, (albeit a very small amount), within the switch that is compressed and operates the switch part

JKust my take on all things hydro-mechanical. But I've got my steel helmet on awaiting the incoming flak.....

[Spider]

These are not cheap but very good