'96 M900 brake light problem - front lever not activating light.

[Christian]

Hey guys, I'm posting this for a friend of mine with a pretty sweet Monster 900 that's having an electrical issue:

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I have a '96 M900. My rear brake is activating the brake light correctly, my front brake lever is not.

Yesterday I decided to get the bottom of it, pulled out the multimeter and the wiring diagram and got to work. Now here is the oddness:

Measuring the voltage at the brake light pin on the 5 wire rear harness connector thing under the seat on the right side after I disconnect the connector, I get 11.2 V as expected when the rear brake is applied... AND when the front brake is applied. Seems to be working fine. However, when using the front brake lever when everything is hooked up, no brake light.

My only guess at this point is that under load (i.e. the amps drawn by the brake light being in the circuit) the front brake lever switch is failing somehow?

Any ideas?

[lawmaster891]

maybe try cleaning the connections, check ground, resistance

[Jarvicious]

A bike that old, no matter how good condition it's in, is bound to have brittle/broken wiring in places.  Mine's an 05 and the clutch switch wire is already broken.  Easy way is to bypass the switch (with a jumper like a paper clip or something) or bypass it farther back in the system.  Switches go bad, and switches as exposed as our clutch/switches go bad more often.

[YellowDuck]

There is a tiny ass switch on the front brake lever that could be bad, mine went on my '98 900.

I would start by replacing that; there is a replacment(read: cheap)cross in the alternate parts thread from radio shack that solders and bolts right up. I have had it on my bike for probably 5 years with no issues.

[Howie]

Follow the wires down from the front switch.  Disconnect where they connect to the main harness.  Jump the wires at the harness.  Turn key to on.  Brake light lit?  Bad or maladjusted switch or poor connection.