After buying a $40 brake switch (mine has cruise control, non cruise models cost $12 for the switch from O-Reilly's) this morning and before installing it a few minutes ago, I searched and found this post. Went out and looked on my floor - the blue pad was so crumbled I would never have associated it with that pad. Using a "Christmas tree" panel fastener and 2 flat washers, it fixed the problem perfectly. Now I'm off to O'Reilly's to get my $40 back from the switch I didn't need. Thanks guys!

 

I did implement the fix with the metal screw and two nuts--this keeps my brake lights off when not depressing the brakes.

This morning, the dash icon with the car and its doors said that the doors were open, and it also had a had a brake light message below the car icon. This message faded and disappeared after a while.

I'm not absolutely certain, but I figure my that metal machine screw's head is too big and sticks out a little too much. I went to the hardware store and got a 1/4"X1" nylon flat-head pan-head screw and replaced the somewhat large round head metal screw with that--it proved somewhat difficult to remove the old screw--it was in there quite solidly and likely didn't need help with the nuts. I then secured the new nylon bolt with two 1/4" nylon nuts. The brake lights work nominally again.

Just in case of failure, I also purchased a bag of 1/4" flathead metal screws (which include nuts), and I thus have that ready in the glove box (along with the old fix).

If this warning light appears again in this or a similar manner, I'll certainly re-post. I believe that this will help, though--more play does exist between switch and the new nylon bolt. Also, that won't somehow short the switch nor hit it as hard.

Perhaps the guys with the "X-mas tree" fastener and computer case foot fixes may have the right approaches (short of going to Honda's parts window)--this is a similar fix to those. Honda is far away from me and is not open on Sunday in OKC (state law).

 

1993 Accord with 280,000 and my brake lights stayed on one day. Googled and found this thread, fixed it with a small bolt lockwasher and nut.

Now im working on getting a engine in my 95 and a clean 97 body for my f221.

 

Just another happy camper--happy I found this thread--thanks for the insight--fixed my "blue button" this morning---all is well again w/ my 88 honda accord--again thx

 

Thanks guys!!! i TRULY am thankful to God for people all over helping each other out. the 1/4 bolt worked for me. with two nuts. simple and easy.

Thanks everyone!!!

 

I expected that post to be signed by MCGYVER!

 

After I found out how to check the switch, I went out and did it. Found my "crayon tip" -- mine was more of an off white ('01 Civic) -- on the floor mat, plus a few curved pieces. Didn't realize the switch would be so high up -- had to open a panel to see it. Tried to find something in the car to use as a spacer just overnight. Grabbed my cell phone charger and wedged the plug that goes into the phone into the space between the switch and the brake pedal arm. Problem temporarily solved, brake lights off! Thanks for everyone's input! Another battery saved from needing CPR in the morning! What a relief that is by itself. Hope I can help someone else on this forum someday like these posts helped me.

 

Wow, a twenty cent fix, not including the cost of the glue!

 

Little plastic piece cause so many of us problems lol

 

22 and 7 months pregnant. Hubby is at work and couldn't help me. Thanks to google, you guys, a penny and super glue my brake lights are now off and it took longer to find the super glue than to fix the problem. Thanks!!!

 

That is awesome! Thanks.

 

After using something makeshift to solve the immediate problem, I highly recommend getting the right part from Honda and installing it. You can damage the button on that switch using things not designed to repeatedly press against it.

 

I had this issue with both my clutch and brake switch. Here's how I fixed it with a reasonably reliable fix..



It's just a bolt and nut, with a thin metal plate. I shaved down the head of the bolt so it would contact flush.

 

Ditto! constant brake lights, dead battery, whole bit. Except my crayon tip was black... a 1" 1/4-20 bolt, 2 nuts , some manual dexterity and a lock washer took care of it. Thanks to all for the info. Special thanks to Billyrusa for the visual

 

I used a magnet: a common round refrigerator magnet works fine and no need for glue since it "sticks" to metal naturally.

Stupid that the pad is made of plastic and rubber in the first place. Extreme temperature changes will degrade plastic and rubber, not to mention the constant impacts. Silly Honda, physics is for kids!

 

My pad pedal stop broke off yesterday, Saturday evening of course. I disconnected the battery overnight, used the bolt and nut method first thing Sunday morning and brake lights are now working as they should. Thanks for all the info Honda-tech.com.

 

Thank you for all the posts. Part was $2.37 at local dealer and I fixed it in 2 minutes. Worked on a 1999 Honda Accord V6 - original part was blue plastic, but white one worked fine.

 

I can't get the break pedal pushed in far enough for the pedal stop to fit--even stepping on it doesn't help. Can't get a wrench around the button bolt either. Using 2 halves of a broken hard drive neodymium magnet as the spacer now but would like to get the actual correct part in place without having to waste money for the dealer to do it. There must be some trick without having to put excessive pressure on the break pedal and mashing the breakpads or whatever...

 

Push the brake pedal firmly. Use the flat part of the pedal stop to push the button it's designed to push, then let the pointy part settle into the hole it goes in as you slowly release the brake pedal. Make sure it seats firmly and you're done.

 

I am doing that but the plastic piece is still too long and the brake pedal won't go down far enough.

 

Try starting the car and then press the brake pedal with you hand and insert the stopper/plug.

 

That worked! Just enough pressure was relieved to give the extra 1/8 inch needed for the pad to pass through. Thanks!

 

- cool, glad it worked for you.

 

OMG! This just happened on our old 1997 Accord last night. Car has almost 200K on it and it still runs great. I read this thread off google, disconnected the battery cable so I could try to fix it in the morning when it was light outside. Used a small bolt and nut and have already ordered the plastic part off ebay so I don't even have to go pick it up anywhere.
Saved me hassle and $$ and a dead battery on my kids' car. The pictures and the video on youtube were especially helpful. Also the part about starting the engine to get a little bit extra space when pressing on the brake was great, too. It was still hard to reach from me but got it eventually. Presto, brake lights off!
THANKS SO MUCH!!!

~cathy

 

I love this forum. Had this happen last night and pulled the horn/stop fuse. Saw the "blue crayon" tip in my floor.

However, this morning, replaced the fuse and lights were out. Got in the car, started it, but now it won't shift out of P. Sounds like the brake switch is bad.