Magna Owners Of Texas

Public Forums => The Garage => Topic started by: dan twomey on March 12, 2008, 10:45:30 PM

Title: Rear brake
Post by: dan twomey on March 12, 2008, 10:45:30 PM
Is there a brake light switch on the rear brake pedal?  I noticed today that my brake lights don't come on when I'm using the rear brake only.  3rd gen Magna by the way.
Title: Re: Rear brake
Post by: TLRam1 on March 12, 2008, 11:29:12 PM
Yes,

Most are attached with a spring to the switch. You can normally adjust the switch up or down so your brake light will work when the pedal is pressed.

Now go check it out!
Title: Re: Rear brake
Post by: Sledge Hammer on March 12, 2008, 11:34:15 PM
Yes, there is a switch. It is attached to the frame member just behind -- inboard, that is -- where the passenger's right footpeg is attached. It connects to the rear brake linkage through a coil spring.
Title: Re: Rear brake
Post by: dan twomey on March 13, 2008, 12:03:19 AM
Hmmm. I will check it out and let you know what I find.  My rear brake pedal has a lot of travel so I'm surpirsed it's not working.
Title: Re: Rear brake
Post by: TLRam1 on March 13, 2008, 05:28:27 AM
Those switches are not the best engineered pieces of electrical equipment. Many times they will be corroded or have have gunk/grime in them. You can lube a little though not much help for the long run but give it a try.
Title: Re: Rear brake
Post by: rjb/AKA Bob Barram on March 13, 2008, 12:19:47 PM
I agree on design. It is  not an easy adjustment getting it back in the proper tension/adjustment. It is more trial and error Dan.
Bob #69
Title: Re: Rear brake
Post by: roboto65 on March 18, 2008, 03:09:01 AM
They do come apart not that hard small screwdriver and yep they corrode in there mine was pretty bad sanded it down and it works like a charm .
Title: Re: Rear brake
Post by: dan twomey on March 18, 2008, 06:20:43 AM
I found that it works, I just need to reajust it.  I'll figure that out while I have it on the lift, changing the oil, coolant and fork seals.
Title: Re: Rear brake
Post by: dan twomey on March 20, 2008, 07:26:14 PM
Thanks for the tips guys!  I spent 15 minutes spinning that little plastic collar back and forth and then back again. Like new again.   

I've linked the issue back to when I put a new chain and sprockets on last year.  The difference between the new and old chain was well more than an inch and now I recall that I had to readjust the rear brake when I changed the chain and never thought about the rear brake light switch.