front brake light switch: troubleshoot?

Planning to help a buddy fix his front brake light switch on his '83 Shadow
tonight. Rear brake light switch works fine; but the front one doesn't
trigger the taillight. Wiring and terminals at front switch plug-in look ok
(cleaned and di-electric greased).
I'm thinking that someone may have a couple of good clues to check, rather
than the usual marathon continuity check.
Anyone?
thanks
brent

 

MOst of the time the switch it self is broken, check with a VOM.
or short circuit the terminals to check the wiring.
In the time when i was riding a Honda 3 years i had to replace the front
brake switch twice.

Good luck

Cees

 

Does the brake light come on if you disconnect the two wires from the
switch and short them together? If so, the switch is bad, otherwise
it is an open circuit somewhere in the wiring.

If it's not the switch, it is most likely due to a corroded bullet
connector, but it could also be a severed wire, look for places where
the wiring harness has chafed through its protective covering.