2008 FLHTC my brake lights are staying on if I hit the rear brake I hear a click sound by the battery and the will go out but come back on again if I keep tapping on the rear brake sometimes I can get them to go out. When they are out and I hit the front brake they come on and go off when I release it. Then if I hit the rear sometimes they come on and go bake off and sometimes they will not go off. Any Ideas? Think the rear switch is bad?

 

Could the brake relay cause this?

 

Try spraying wd40 where the switches are. Maybe just dirty?

 

I did that and it didn't help. If I take the wires off the rear brake light switch the brake lights work fine with the front brake.

 

Your rear brake light switch is shot but you know that now. My friend has an 08 his brake lights would stay on all the time. Did the same thing you did he rode it until he had time to get the switch replaced.

 

Something to keep in mind, until you solve the brake lights staying on issue, your cruise control (if equipped) will not work when the brake lights are on.

 

now today they are working fine... WTF...should I buy a switch and replace it?

 

That's what I would do. They're only like twenty bucks from Harley. You could probably get one for $10 at an auto parts store.

 

wd40 is not a contact cleaner.

spraying a lube into any electrical area will just hold dirt in place.


contact cleaners are available at any electronic store- make sure to read the label...some are not to be used around plastic or painted parts and will really make a mess if mis-used.

OP, test your rear brake light switch- likely the problem.

test it with a meter, in place

diagnose before you start replacing parts....be aware that IF you have had your hand controls loose with out shimming the switch it can break.

it is unlikely that the relay is bad, but that is possible.
most automotive relays are rated for 100,000 cycles.
I have never had one fail on any of my vehicles ( about a dozen), but it can happen



mike

 

mine was doing same thing....advance auto parts was open so got a switch and no more problemos...dont remember part number