[align=center]Fixing Brakelight Problems...[/align]
Bulbs Need Replacing?
The bulbs have two filament, one for the "driving" light (turns on with headlights), and the other for the brighter "brake" light. As commonly happens, the brake light filaments blow first. If you don't have either of them working, it is not uncommon that it is just both that are blown.
To replace the bulbs, you need to remove the brakelight housing which is also attached to the small rear fairing. It's not difficult
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You don't have to completely remove all the rear fairings. Take out the two bolts on the bottom rear of the fairings, near the number plate.
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Next, take out the two bolts underneath the rear seat...
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The brakelight module will be loose, but if you cannot get it out, don't force anything. Remove the riders seat, and if fitted, there are two metal clips that hold each side of the fairing together in the middle, between the riders seat and the rear seat.
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At the back of the brake light module, you can twist the black rubber sockets out (anticlockwise) and pull them out. To remove the bulb, push down and turn out.
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Replacement bulbs are very common, and usually service stations have them for a couple of bucks. Make sure you get a 12V21/5W bulb, which has the offset pins as shown in the picture above. The 12V21/5W means its a 12V bulb, with a 21W filament for the brakes, and 5W filament for the driving light.
If you do replace a bulb... replace them both. They have both probably racked up the same number of hours so it won't be long before the other goes. Also, the old one won't be as bright :idea:
Front Brake Switch Broken?
The front brake switch is mounted on the front lever bracket. It's the thing that make the little 'click' noise as you squeeze the lever. It's a small black box, on the underneath side about 20x10x5mm with two spade terminals. If it doesn't make the click noise, check to make sure its positioned properly. It's held in with a screw, going upward into the lever housing.
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You can pull the wires off it, but might need a pair of pliers to pull them off carefully. Be careful not to bend the terminals when pulling them off, or pushing the wires back on. They bend easy! To check if the switch is faulty, pull the two wires off and short together. If the brakes light up, then the switch is the problem. If not, then its either the bulbs or the wiring.
Replacement switches are easy to obtain, as they are a standard Honda part. They aren't the best design, and a lot of CBR250's have old ones that are already falling apart.
Rear Brake Switch Broken?
Usually the rear brake switch just needs to be re-adjusted, and they don't break often. The picture below is of a VFR400, however its the same system. There is a spring attached to the lever, which pulls the switch. The switch has a plastic bolt, which sets its initial height. Just give it a turn to re-adjust so it works. Otherwise, grab a replacement from the wreckers.
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Wiring Fault?
Rarely do I see a CBR250 with a wiring harness in poor condition, and its usually the last thing I'd suspect (unless it has crash damage :s. Do make sure the plug coming from the brakelight module is properly plugged in, and that the terminals haven't pushed out the back of the plug. Otherwise, I'd recommend you grab a multimeter and start probing around
The most common problems is the bulbs! Usually people think it's something else, because both bulbs aren't working... but most of the time its just that you haven't noticed one was previously out before the other died. The next most common is front brake switch has died, and the rear brake switch hasn't been in alignment for a long time
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The best advice is to check both switches and get LED brakelights!
