Front brake light switch failure

[ShaunDW]

So my bike is in for its 40K service, and the dealer just rang up to say that the front brake light switch has failed. To replace means replacing the complete right hand switch cluster apparently, for £95!
To my mind, it’s probably just corrosion, and can be cleaned up if the switch is taken apart - but of course the dealer won’t do that. And it might be something more serious?
1. Has anybody had this problem before, and was it easily fixed without replacing the complete switch cluster?
2. If the cluster is replaced, can the newer version be fitted with the improved cruise control buttons?
Thanks.

[nervouswreck]

I had the starter button fail on my 13, had to replace the right cube and did get the new one with the extended buttons.  Much easier to reach now.

[ShaunDW]

Thanks for that Nervouswreck.

I just phoned up the dealer to ask them to fit a new version switch cluster, but they then told me that the harness connections are slightly different and, while possible, they did not really want to do that swap.

So it looks like I am sticking with the original version.

It seems a bit bizarre to me that the brake light micro switch is embedded in the switch cluster anyway? 

[nervouswreck]

Shaun, you didn't mention what year your bike is, mine was a 13 and I believe I had one with the short wire harness that had a habit of pulling on the wire connections when turning the bars to the extreme.  Since the work done was done under warranty I'm not sure but believe the harness was also changed.  Anyhow I ended up with the newer style cc buttons.  The older style was a bit of a stretch for the thumb while holding the throttle.  So you may want to ask the dealer about your harness in case you have one of the ones that are little too short..

[earthman]

Out of interest Shaun, have you been covering the handlebars/switch gear with plastic bags before washing the bike?

If that switch can't be extracted/replaced on it's own, that is indeed a crazy design.

[ShaunDW]

My bike is a 2015 (will be 3 years old in March), but was probably a left over 2014 model (it’s not the SE).
Anyway, I don’t cover the anything before washing it, but I don’t use a jet wash, and I don’t even use the full force of the hose pipe most of the time. But it does get used in all weathers.

[earthman]

I got to admit, I never use to cover up the switch gear on the Wing I had or the Trophy when I first washed it,....the manual does state that though, on reflection I think that it's a wise thing to do so have got into the practice.

[AZBob]

Originally Posted by ShaunDW

I just phoned up the dealer to ask them to fit a new version switch cluster, but they then told me that the harness connections are slightly different and, while possible, they did not really want to do that swap.

Hmmm... I doubt Triumph changed the connector to the brake lever when they made the buttons slightly longer. There are three connectors that come off the right hand switch cube, one goes to the brake lever, and the other two go to connectors on the left side of the bike, just over the head of the engine, under the gas tank... to do this work, they have to take the gas tank off, which SHOULD result in a labor charge of several hundred dollars because every piece of plastic forward of the rear seat needs to come off. If they're not charging you for that... I'm guessing they're not really changing anything, and probably are just spritzing your existing switch with contact cleaner, because they can't even order switch cube with the "old" buttons anyhow.