Author Topic: Brake switch issue..is this possible?  (Read 733 times)

Offline Athame57

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Brake switch issue..is this possible?
« on: September 19, 2020, 02:14:05 PM »
I recently replaced a DSS hydraulic brake light switch that had lasted over two years with another one but there has been an issue these pas few months of an unlikely (?) leak I might be wrong about. In the image you'll see the face of the switch is damp and the paint on the steering yoke damaged (again) I can't find a source of leakage from the thread at the hose union and is it possible this leak really is coming from the red face of the switch?
I brake for animals!
1978 CB400F2

Offline cliff7

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Re: Brake switch issue..is this possible?
« Reply #1 on: September 19, 2020, 03:31:11 PM »
 Looks like faulty switch to me. I have had quite a few faulty oil pressure switches for cars (same principle but lower pressure) that leak between plastic centre and outside metal.

Offline bobv7

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Re: Brake switch issue..is this possible?
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2020, 12:00:46 AM »
I suppose you could clean it off and run a bead of superglue or similar around the join between the two surfaces?

Offline TrickyMicky

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Re: Brake switch issue..is this possible?
« Reply #3 on: September 20, 2020, 08:13:10 AM »
I suppose you could clean it off and run a bead of superglue or similar around the join between the two surfaces?
   If it actually is brake fluid leaking out, then you have to remember that this is a critical safety issue. In an emergency braking issue there is an incredibly high pressure inside the pipes which could cause instant failure. Imagine the flash git in his 2 ton SUV sitting right behind you, and his vehicle has got a similar fault. A new switch is about £23 plus postage, I'm sure we spend more than that making them look pretty!  My baseline is always, "Would it pass an M.O.T.?"  Stay safe everyone.

Offline SeanFD

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Re: Brake switch issue..is this possible?
« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2020, 12:31:44 PM »
You could try some PTFE tape around the threads.

I did this on my bleed nipple threads and it is still going 25,000km later.

At the very least it would tell you of that is where the leak is.
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Offline mike the bike

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Re: Brake switch issue..is this possible?
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2020, 05:04:38 PM »
The brakes on 400s aren't the best.  You don't want to risk bending your bike through a sudden loss of brake fluid.
Where's that 10mm socket got to?

 

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