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AR15.COM
7/11/2010 5:57:26 PM EDT
My wife just called-out of town at her sister's. Said her brake lights won't shut off when the brakes are released-the car seems to "think" the brakes are on. She tried lifting the pedal by hand to see if it was sticking in a depressed position-nope. Any ideas on what the problem could be?
7/11/2010 6:01:23 PM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
My wife just called-out of town at her sister's. Said her brake lights won't shut off when the brakes are released-the car seems to "think" the brakes are on. She tried lifting the pedal by hand to see if it was sticking in a depressed position-nope. Any ideas on what the problem could be?


Brake light switch failed and stuck in the on position.  They arent as cheap as they used yo be - they are integrated into a lot of other systems now, but still shouldn't be too bad a repair bill, and still fairly easy to DIY it...

7/11/2010 6:15:50 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
Quoted:
My wife just called-out of town at her sister's. Said her brake lights won't shut off when the brakes are released-the car seems to "think" the brakes are on. She tried lifting the pedal by hand to see if it was sticking in a depressed position-nope. Any ideas on what the problem could be?


Brake light switch failed and stuck in the on position.  They arent as cheap as they used yo be - they are integrated into a lot of other systems now, but still shouldn't be too bad a repair bill, and still fairly easy to DIY it...



Thanks-Father in law is going to pick one up this week, if he can't there's some egay sellers that have them for under $15.
7/12/2010 12:05:26 AM EDT
[#3]
Quoted:
Quoted:
My wife just called-out of town at her sister's. Said her brake lights won't shut off when the brakes are released-the car seems to "think" the brakes are on. She tried lifting the pedal by hand to see if it was sticking in a depressed position-nope. Any ideas on what the problem could be?


Brake light switch failed and stuck in the on position.  They arent as cheap as they used yo be - they are integrated into a lot of other systems now, but still shouldn't be too bad a repair bill, and still fairly easy to DIY it...



This.

TELL HER TO STOP SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES.  Women drive in panic mode all the time.  They think they have to always be DOING something, either braking or accelerating.
7/12/2010 12:34:54 AM EDT
[#4]
Before you just go replacing the switch, check that the switch plunger is still touching the brake pedal.

See, a lot of cars have a little rubber or plastic pad on the brake pedal where the switch plunger contacts it, and sometimes the little pad breaks into a million pieces for no reason, causing the brake switch to be constantly engaged. In such a case, replacing the switch won't fix your problem.
7/12/2010 12:37:44 AM EDT
[#5]
Gland Pee?

Sticky switch.