Front brake - light switch query

[andy120t]

It's a pressure switch. Mine is tight/ corroded in the three-way mounting and I'm wary of snapping it off.

Aside from that here a way to test it when it's off the bike/ without fluid in it?

Why does one of the bullet connectors seem to be hollow, and one isn't ( see piccie)?

Thanks for any insight!

[Bryanj]

No way of testing off the bike, you should find a size of 12 point metric socket will fit exactly onto the switch to undo and no idea why connectors are like that

[Rayzerman]

Any issue with just getting a new switch?

[andy120t]

New switch?
- if the old one still works I won't need to replace it.
- the old one looks a lot nicer than a shiny new one.
- not to mention the cost, plus the tax I would have to pay for a new one...!

I was trying it fairly gently with a spanner, but I'll give it a good soak for a while then try with a socket.

[Ken4004]

If you can remove the switch you can use the blunt end of a drill  bit the same diameter of the hole to gently push the diaphragm inside the switch, I think inside is a thin film of metal which deflects when pressure is applied this connects the two terminals which you can check with a DVM, this is how I tested my switch off the bike.

[andy120t]

Good thought - I had been wondering if there was a way of applying air pressure to do that. I suppose the question would remain - how much pressure...but it can't get too much? But at least it would check that any internal circuit was ok before I fill it up with fluid again.

[TrickyMicky]

New switch?
- if the old one still works I won't need to replace it.
- the old one looks a lot nicer than a shiny new one.
- not to mention the cost, plus the tax I would have to pay for a new one...!

I was trying it fairly gently with a spanner, but I'll give it a good soak for a while then try with a socket.

If the old one still works, why do you want to remove it?  New one from DSS is £18 inc vat, plus postage.

[Ken4004]

My switch was a little sticky on the first push but after a couple of pushes it loosened up, probably about a pound or two of force not very much at all really.
You will get a feel for it once you start to push, the way I looked at it if you can’t get it moving your buying a new switch anyway but it really wasn’t a problem.
I also had trouble loosening off the switch but as said earlier used a socket and left the manifold bolted to the bike while I loosened it off but it wasn’t that bad with the correct socket, like anything on the bike just take your time and you will get it off good luck.

[andy120t]

I've safely removed the switch. I've pressed with a drill bit and it's now loose and moving a few milimetres, but I'm not getting continuity which is a shame. I might need a new switch after all. I can't think why it wouldn't work though unless the connectors have corroded inside.

[Ken4004]

As a last resort you could try leaving it to soak in switch cleaner but really for the price of a new switch it’s probably not worth d see pending any more time on it , I am sure you have many other things that need to be looked at .

I would probably be inclined to take it apart to see what’s inside but that would involve destroying the switch for good but would be interesting just depends on how much time you have on your hands and how inquisitive you are.