Front Brake switch "fizzing"

[Oldie]

Front brake switch is playing up which means that the brake light sometimes sticks on. I can also hear a fizzing sound, as if something is shorting, when applying the lever. Haven't taken anything apart yet because it's flippin freezing at the moment and just wondered what's actually inside there anyway - some sort of micro switch? I can sometimes hear the click of the switch, but other times not. Not keen to play about with it incase it goes bang

Anyone else had this issue? Cheers

 

[Fanum]

There is indeed just a very small (that's why they call it a micro ) microswitch in there.

Sounds like an earthing problem, but I'm surprised there's enough current there to arc out and make any sort of fizzing noise (which is what that sounds like )

Take it apart sooner rather than later.......it's less likely to go 'bang' by having a look at it than leaving it with potentially too much current being fed through it

If you were to disconnect the switch, I think (neil may well correct me on this) that the worst that will happen is that you'll be left with no ABS because the self-test won't complete, but you'll still have servo assistance

(this all depends on what model and year your bike is)

*thinks*.......
If the switch is stuck and your hearing is good, it could well be just that the switch is JUST open......check your handguards and make sure they aren't touching the lever.

Squirt with WD40 as well......and wank the lever open and closed a few times afterwards, that might open up the lever a bit.

Just best guesses......more will be along shortly I'm sure

 

[Fanum]

Just seen your profile, and I presume this is the 1100 listed?

 

[Oldie]

Yep, it's my 1100.

I checked free play and the handguard is not obstructing anything obvious. I also gave it some serious WD40 and I guess that helped a bit, but there's certainly something not right inside there.

Oddly enough, about a week ago, I was turning into my driveway and noticed what looked like a tiny puff of steam/smoke rising from the swithchgear. It was so odd that I thought that I had imagined it, but it may be related to the fizzing.

 

[Fanum]

Yep, it's my 1100.

I checked free play and the handguard is not obstructing anything obvious. I also gave it some serious WD40 and I guess that helped a bit, but there's certainly something not right inside there.

Oddly enough, about a week ago, I was turning into my driveway and noticed what looked like a tiny puff of steam/smoke rising from the swithchgear. It was so odd that I thought that I had imagined it, but it may be related to the fizzing.

I don't believe in coincidences like that.

It's linked.....gotta be.

Check the loom from the switchgear backwards......a lot of 11s had the loom too tightly cable tied up......(mainly 1150s but ya never know) which means the repeated steering action against a fixed loom point makes the loom and its wires brittle.....If one or more of yours has cracked and is shorting out, that could release the magic smoke genie and cause this problem as well.

Even if it is cold, check it sooner than later......the top end loom is a separate part but still, you could cause more damage and thus expense by leaving it than having a look.

I'm on tiptoes with my depth of knowledge here, and I hope someone more familiar with the 1100 switchgear/loom will pop up soon, but IMO, don't ignore it.

 

[Oldie]

You might be onto something regarding the loom. When I took the instrument panel off to replace my ABS bulbs I unclipped some cable ties holding a whole bunch of wires in front of the tank to allow free movement. Maybe this new found freedom has caused some "chaos" in the wiring and something is shorting, or whatever. The sheathing around the loom looked like a family of mice had Christmas dinner on it

I'll probably just do what I always do - take things to bits and then ask for help

Seriously though, thanks for the replies. I'll do a bit of digging and see what comes up

 

[Oldie]

Just to round this one up. When I took of the handguard for a better look at the switch it appeared that it didn't activate every time the small metal lever was released (ie, when pulling on the brake lever). Eventually I got it working with several blasts of WD 40 although on one ocassion there was a puff of smoke, so something was shorting somewhere. Managed to pick up a used switch on ebay for £13 and will install in due course.