1995 Ford Escort Brake Lights Stay On Continously Without Touching Pedal

1995 FORD ESCORT
Avatar
DA BOSS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
My brake lights stay on continously without touching the pedal.
Nov 21, 2012 at 11:18 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
JDL
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 16,098 POSTS
You need to check the brake switch. I'll get the wiring diagram.
Nov 21, 2012 at 11:28 PM
Avatar
JDL
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 16,098 POSTS
The info I looked at was for escort sedan. The dark green wire should not be hot, unless your on the brake pedal. Unplug the brake switch and see if brake lites go out?
Nov 21, 2012 at 11:36 PM
Avatar
DA BOSS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
where is the brake switch located
Nov 21, 2012 at 11:39 PM
Avatar
JDL
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 16,098 POSTS
Under the dash, top of brake pedal support. The brake pedal arm activates the switch.
Nov 21, 2012 at 11:47 PM
Avatar
SLIDER2732
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Easy recent fix on our 2001 Escort and most cars. If you haven't cleaned the car out for a while and this just happened, look on the floor for a blue disc of rubber. It'll be coin sized and a bit thicker.
The switch strikes the rubber piece, which pushes the switch plunger on release of the brake pedal, switching off the rear brake lights. They use rubber because metal onto the plastic of the switch plunger would wear it down quickly.

The switch is above the brake pedal, you'll probably see 2 of them. Left one is cruise control, right one is brake. What you should be looking at with this problem is a box with a long piece of plastic jutting out (that's the switch plunger) and a bare metal plate in front of it.

To fix, either take that rubber piece and superglue it on top of the metal piece. Or perhaps 2 pennies with electrical tape around and superglue/tape to secure. Best fix is a new rubber piece with its thin rubber middle piece that snapped and why the disc part fell on to the floor in the first case :)
Make sure to test the fix many times before driving, with a mirror/against a wall at night/person behind the car, to ensure nothing untoward happens when driving.
Nov 24, 2012 at 9:02 PM
Avatar
JDL
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 16,098 POSTS
Let us know what you find.
Jan 8, 2013 at 7:23 PM
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.