I noticed yesterday when i was washing my car that the brake lights were on, and my car was completely off and so were the lights.. I havent had the time to search the forums for a similar topic so if anyone knows what this could be share your experience please!

I have a 97 ek hatch

 

It's possible that the brake switch is stuck closed.

 

thats a logical idea. maybe when u pushed the brake pedal the switch went on and never released. thats weird

 

Do you know where is your car's brake light switch?
On the metal bar of the brake pedal,right under the brake light switch, there's one small plastic component. It is used to make contact with the switch when you release the brake and turns off the brake lights.
Check if that small plastic component is lost or broken. One simple way to solve the problem is to stick one or two coins on the brake pedal's metal bar

 

most likely the switch is stuck closed. If that doesnt work trace the ground wire that goes to the back. Brakes lights have power all the time, but the switch closes the ground side..thus circuit complete and lights work. The ground wire could be shorted against somethings. Most likely its the switch though

 

i had the same problem it was the little plastic gromit. i just used a bolt and nut so i dont have to worry about the plastic dry rotting or falling out again

 

possibly check your fuild also.

 

why would fluid have anything to do with it???????? i dnt think he is talking about the brake light on the dash being on lol

 

well if his key is not in the ignition and lights are off, then nothing should light up.

but if his key is in the ignition on the ON position, engine off...it could be low fluid also. just a suggestion.

 

Sometimes it is the blinker fluid that makes the brakes stay on. You know, like when your blinkers blink faster when one is out? LOL!

 

More than likely it's the brake switch.

 

2 nickels work perfect

 

not true when dealing with the brake lights in the back.
Brake fluid has NOTHING to do with the rear lights working or not.
It is a simple system and most likely the brake switch.

 

This.

 

Yeah its the switch i had to do this to my car....i had to take the driver seat out find the switch, unplug the sensor and then unscrew it all the way out..i took it out ( A BITCH TO GET OUT) and i cleaned it a bit cause i was so dusty and then i Put it back adjusted it a bit down and we were off and has been fine ever sence..OP its a little cylinder under the steering column about the size of a shotgun shell...Like i said i had to take the driver seat...if you dont have fun gettin in there...

BlackDiamond

 

I think he means the tail brake lights, not the idiot light in the cluster.

 

it could be a wire trouble, check (+) in your lights.

 

Brake switch, if you had time to create a thread you had time to search, there is a million threads on this.
EDIT: I see this thread was from 3 years ago LOL

 

Danyem2 how did u find this thread

 

Like others. I would like to help people.

OFFTOP

 

There's a plastic/rubber grommet on your brake pedal assembly where it contacts the brake light switch when the pedal is NOT pressed unmaking the circuit (brake lights off) when you press brake, the rubber grommet/pedal releases the button making the circuit(brake lights on) my rubber grommet discinergrated a few weeks ago that how i found this problem.. i put duct tape where the grommet should be.

 

This thread is from 2009. Call me pessimistic but, I highly doubt the OP still needs help. lol




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