The Red light (check engine?) comes on when I use my brakes.

[Will]

Not sure what the Red Light means on a bike but it comes on after I apply my brakes. Does this mean, fluid is low? Or pads being bad? Also, I had the rear tire taken off yesterday for a tire change, I don't think this is it b/c it happens when I use my front brakes as well. Any suggestions or help? It's a 2005 EX 250

[wallypiper]

Oil pressure? Could it be low enough on oil that it's sloshing away from the pump pickup when you brake? Have you checked the oil level? I can't find a picture of an '05 but the only red light I see on a picture of an '09 is either the oil pressure light (could be an oil level light, some bikes have oil level instead of oil pressure indicators) or maybe the FI light. Is the '05 fuel injected? Isn't there some kind of symbol on the light or a label next to?

[chance]

its gotta be oil pressure or level. When was your last oil change? If you stand the bike straight up, can you see oil in the sightglass?

[bluerider]

My R6 has only 2 red lights on the dash, one for oil pressure and one for overheating. Could be either but would guess oil pressure.

[chance]

My R6 has only 2 red lights on the dash, one for oil pressure and one for overheating. Could be either but would guess oil pressure.

i got oil and FI on my z. And im 99 percent sure all 250's were carbbed

[Sanchez]

Yes, all US ninja 250's are carbureted. If the light comes on under braking, I'd suspect a loose wire.

[wallypiper]

I remember something about a particular bike (might have been first gen FJR) that would turn on the low oil LEVEL light under braking because of the oil sloshing forward in the crankcase. It would go back out once you stop or let off the brake. The oil wasn't actually low, just sloshing around.

[Sanchez]

The Ninja 250 has an oil pressure sensor on the passage that leads from the bottom of the motor up to the head. There isn't really any sloshing that could occur. The oil flow is pretty slow, so I would expect him to see a noticeable delay between when he hit the brakes and when the light flickered if it really was an oil pressure issue. I'd advise him to get a service manual and trace the circuit to look for a loose wire.

[wallypiper]

Sanchez may be right. A loose wire could certainly be triggered by braking. On the other hand, I would expect a warning light to be triggered by a switch MAKING contact but that's not always the case.

On the other hand: http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/My_oil_pressure_light_comes_on_during_heavy_brakin g


This is a moderate engine design flaw. Under heavy braking the oil puddles in the front of the engine cases. There is no easy way for the oil to get back to the pickup at the rear of the engine, causing a momentary pressure loss.

[Over TWO Customs]

I would want to re create the scenario over an over to pin point the exact time the light comes on. I can't see it related to the brake switch in any way. We will check it out when we throw on some new rubber .

[Will]

Cool, thanks all for the input. Definitely weird, but it isn't causing any problems as far as I can tell. Just don't like a red light to come on w/o me knowing at least the why. Thanks again all.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I saw someone ask, but you never answered: When was your last oil change? What kind of oil did you use? Have you checked your oil level recently? Properly? (Engine warm, bike upright- NOT on side stand, on level ground)?

[Will]

Sorry didn't follow up. Took it over to Overtwo Customs and they checked it when they replaced my tires. Seems that although I did get an oil change recently (End of April?) that the oil level was low. Lorne put some oil in my bike and the light went off. I know, smacks forehead, never even thought that that could be a potential issue. Which leads me to my next post...

I also didn't get the type of oil used. This was my first bike so I took it to a shop and didn't think to ask what brand of oil they used. I will start keeping track of it now though.