Brake Lights Started Blinking?????

[Stratnick]

A few days ago when I adjusted my rear brake light switch, the brake lights would light up and stay lit. Now for some reason, they blink. As they blink, I can hear a tick-tock sound in the trunk behind the tail/brake light on the right side that sounds like a turn signal switch. Is this some sort of relay that decided to start working again, or is my gremlin bell failing to do its job?

I had a blinking relay on my VTX 1800, but it blinked a few times then they shone steady. These just keep blinking. It also has an LED brake light bar below the trunk that also blinks. If this is a relay, can I simply unhook it so they work as they did before? My issue with it is that it does not immediately illuminate the brake lights upon applying the brakes. It hesitates a second then begins the blinking cycle.

thanks!

[Patrick]

Why did you adjust the switch ?? Did this problem happen right after this adjustment ??

[Stratnick]

Why did you adjust the switch ?? Did this problem happen right after this adjustment ??

I adjusted the switch to shorten the reach. The pedal had to be pressed down all the way to get the brake lights to come on. The front brake lever switch was working ok. No, the blinking did not start at that point. I don't know when it started but just noticed it last night as I was doing a preride inspection to ride to work today.   Thanks.

[John U.]

Was the turn signal turned on when the brake light was blinking? Will the brake light cause one of the turn signal lights to light up?
It sounds like you could have chafed insulation on the wires which can cause cross feeding of power from one wire to another. Check the condition of the wires where they pass through the rear fender. It's a prime area for chaffing to occur but not the only one. Tire rubbing on bad bumps can cause chaffing also.

[Stratnick]

Problem resolved! PO had installed a flasher in the brake light circuit and it had seemingly stuck in the closed position until recently. I took the flasher out and connected the wire ends together and all is well! Thanks all for the feedback.