Brake light problem on 09 Stallion

[WildBillH]

I need some suggestions.

I routinely use the remote start on the Stallion with no problem. This time I went to step on the brake to release the remote control and it would not release. I used the remote to release the remote control. I went to back out of the garage and noticed my brake lights were not working. (The alarm system and remote start have been in over a year.)

After work I checked all the blubs, All the brake lights were out and some of the tail lights were out.
I found some of the wires pinched in the tail light housing. I pulled the Tail lights to inspect the wires. They tested OK .
I Checked all the fuses and they were all good.
I checked the brake switch and the cruise control switch on the brake and they are working correctly.

I tried to trace the wires forward but after they left the trunk and went behind the seat they go into bigger bundles and I lost them.

At the tail light the RD/B wire is the parking/tail lights, and they seem to be OK.
The brake light is Gr/w at the bulb seems to be the one with the short.
If I but a new blub in and step on the brake the brake light element light weakly then blow. Not sure what is going on.
At the tail light socket I can jump the tail light to the brake light and light the brake lights up no problem.
I’m guessing the problem is upstream of the brake switch.

I’m looking for some suggestions on how to trace the brake light wire down or figure out where the short is.

What are the three relays under the seat cross member?

 

[tomg]

check your brake light switch which also controls to c/c and shifter release. With your vin # you should have the newer switch already installed, but some had to have the power pin/tab tweaked/bent a bit. I had that problem with mine .

 

[Gorilla]

one of those relays under the seat had to be replaced on ours to get the turn signals working. Our brake light issues were the switch.

 

[WildBillH]

Thanks guys,
You both helped. I finely contacted TMS and confirmed I still had one of the old brake switches and they are sending me the weather proof one.
It seems the old brake switch was intended to work under the dash and not in harsher environments like under the vehicle exposed to the elements.

This seemed to be the right fix, but did not resolve my immediate problem of fixing the brake lights now so I could use the trike for overnight trip to attend a funeral over the weekend. I was able to find an exact replacement switch locally for under $25. My thought was I could replace the brake switch and it would last until I got the waterproof switch from TBS.

Before I bought the new brake switch I thought I would take the old one apart and take a look at the contacts. Unfortunately I did not take any photos of the corroded contacts but sure enough they were corroded pretty bad. It was not difficult to take the switch apart and remove the contacts one at a time and put them back in. I removed each of the contacts and sanded off the corrosion with 600 grit aluminum oxide sandpaper on a flat surface. I re-installed the original switch and tested the brake light. Cleaning the contacts worked. I drove the stallion to work and back the next day. No problems and felt better about being able to take the Stallion on the overnight trip.

I will replace the repaired brake switch with the new weather proof brake switch when it arrives.

Here a a photo of the Old Brake switch that should be replaced.

http://www.am-autoimages.com/partimage/ZMX/AM-29570569/middle.JPG

 

[Gorilla]

Yep thats the old switch. When I did mine I just brought everything out the top and did it one wire at a time. Good luck.

 

[WildBillH]

I called TMS and talked to Nick. He sent me the new switch. But I still wanted to use the Stallion so I took the old switch apart and cleaned the contacts like a set of points in and old distributer. I put it back together and everything is working.
I got the new brake switch a couple days ago and put it in this morning works good last a long time they tell me.