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Brake light not ativated by rear brake?

7751 Views 15 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  ramit250
The other day I was testing to see how sensitive the brake lever and pedal was before the light would come on. Turns out the rear brake dosent activate my tail light? I havent gone to the dealer yet, just wanted to see if anybody else had this problem or if only the front brake activates the tail light. Thanks in advance, John
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Push hard. Mine takes quite a bit of force to activate the tail-light.

If it works with full pressure, then you should look to adjusting the activation switch (refer to your User's Manual).

Pretty standard to have hard-to-activate rear brake light.
Read your user manual, Find that part that shows you how to adjust the position of rear brake switch on the back of the rear set.

Not a hard job to do, you can set it so the light comes on before the brake does.
need to push harder. I guess you testing it using hands. I also noticed this.
The other day I was testing to see how sensitive the brake lever and pedal was before the light would come on. Turns out the rear brake dosent activate my tail light? I havent gone to the dealer yet, just wanted to see if anybody else had this problem or if only the front brake activates the tail light. Thanks in advance, John
It should. See the maintenance manual. If its in warranty take it to the shop to get fixed asap; thats a safety issue you might get rear ended.
Push hard. Mine takes quite a bit of force to activate the tail-light.

If it works with full pressure, then you should look to adjusting the activation switch (refer to your User's Manual).

Pretty standard to have hard-to-activate rear brake light.
You shouldn't have to push hard. With mine I can depress rear brake lever with pinkie finger and it activates light no problem. There is also a distinctive click u can hear. I would have dealer chk and adjust it. Or like Macca suggests the easy adjustment.
IF you look just in front of the master cylinder on the rear break you will see the switch for the rear break. there is a adjustment nut. Turn the nut until the light comes on then back it off one turn and it should come on as the breaks start to grab.
I had to push the crap out of mine to get it to come on..i wanted to make it come on easier so i could lightly push the brake pedal just to get those jerk tailgating drivers off my rear without actually braking...so i adjusted the brake switch (tells you how in the manual) now my brake light comes on with the foot brake depressed about a half an inch, but its not enough to actually slow me down.
The other day I was testing to see how sensitive the brake lever and pedal was before the light would come on. Turns out the rear brake dosent activate my tail light? I havent gone to the dealer yet, just wanted to see if anybody else had this problem or if only the front brake activates the tail light. Thanks in advance, John
Mine is the same. The only way I can get the light to come on with the rear brake is to press it hard enough that I might as well just stand on it. I plan on adjusting it this weekend though.
Thanks for all the responces, I'll look into adjusting it. It wouldnt come on when the rear brake is completely pressed. As of right now I hold the front brake at lights, to make sure im seen. But using the rear would be much more comfortable. Thanks again!
Ok the pic on page 74 of the manual has this noob confused!

So which nut is the adjustment for the rear light switch? Red or Green? Pic borrowed from Tyga.
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Ok the pic on page 74 of the manual has this noob confused!

So which nut is the adjustment for the rear light switch? Red or Green? Pic borrowed from Tyga.
Neither... What you need to adjust is not really a nut, it is a plastic piece that is just in front of the piece shown in this picture near the top nut (the one the red arrow points to). You can turn it with your fingers so no need for tools. I just adjusted mine and i'm very happy with the results.
Just adjust the switch.. takes about 5 seconds.
Thanks guys, I'm not sure why the pic in the manual was so confusing to me.

Adjusted this morning and all is well now.

Here is a pic to help others.....
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Just spent 20 seconds setting mine. Lift and spin worked best in the tight space.

I got mine adjusted tonight, easy as pie. Lol
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