rear brake lights stay on mysteriously

For some mysterious reason, my rear brake lights (including the 3rd on top of my ARE shell) have been turning on by themselves.

When parked I always have the parking brake engaged and leave it in gear (6 spd manual).

No key in the ignition. Headlamps and other lights are not on.

I pump the pedal once and they turn off. Then some time later they mysteriously turn on again.

My neighbors have come by twice in the past few days to tell me that my brake lights are on. Any troubleshooting help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Check for a missing rubber stopper that is keeping your brake pedal from turning off the switch to your brake lights.

When you let off the brake pedal it returns to it's original position and it should be endangering a switch that cuts the circuit, usually that switch is activated by a small nylon or rubber stopper on the metal bar of the pedal assembly to touch that switch.

 

Also check the brake light switch (usually connected to the pedal assembly). I had a neighbor with the same problem and she said she didn't know what was wrong. Took a quick look under the dash and saw the switch just needed to be adjusted back to spec. Took all of three turns of a wrench. Happens with older cars. Hope it's as easy a fix for you as well.

 

when the lights are on can you lift the pedal with your foot and turn them off?

 

^ this would be a quick way to check if it's the switch that needs to be adjusted.

 

Agree, switch adjustment or a defective switch.

 

I know old thread, but this helped me to figure out my issues with my brake light staying on.

Anyone know what/where to get that green rubber stopper? Right now I have a piece of mulch there to depress the plastic so my brakes shut off. Once I drive the truck the mulch will come out.

Search works!

 

This may help to properly adjust the Stop Light Switch, From the Service Manual ( See Step # 2 : Adjust and Inspect Stop Light Switch )

 

Sweet, thank you! That is what I need

 

Reminds me of living in the barracks on Okinawa, where everyone drove older 90s cars. The old plastic button/grommet thing on the pedal would often break apart leaving the brake lights on, and many ensuing dead batteries. Fixed at least half a dozen of them by duct taping a yen coin(or a penny or whatever) to that spot on the pedal. Worked like a charm.

 

I just had this problem today on my 01 Tacoma. I put a f elt pad that would go on the bottom of a chair leg on the stopper until my 4 pack from Amazon comes in.

amazon part number: B0B92QPFDT