1998 Honda Civic Brake Pedal Switch making Weird Electrical

Tiny
MUSCULAREDBONE
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 HONDA CIVIC
Electrical problem
1998 Honda Civic 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

When I use the turn signal they work fine until I depress the brake pedal then the turn signal goes out. When I release the brake pedal the turn signal resumes. With the car is parked and the key removed, depressing the brake pedal causes the buzzing sound that is made as if the key is left in the ignition. I think the brake pedal switch may be bad and causing an electrical shortage. Could that be the issue?
Thursday, August 28th, 2008 AT 7:50 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi Muscularedbone,

No, I think you have a bad ground connection at the rear taillights.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 29th, 2008 AT 4:22 PM
Tiny
MUSCULAREDBONE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I sure wish I would have waited until I heard back from you guys before taking my entire steering colum apart!
I think your absolutely correct!
That makes soooooooo much more sense!
I have seriously taken apart the steering colum and I have tried almost every connection conceivably possible. I have almost removed the entire wiring harness for the steering wheel assembly, and I was going to do so. What you have said makes the most sense because the alarm tone that is being mad is not the sound of the key being left in but more the sound made when you leave the headlights on---it's that kind of buzzing sound. I removed the turn signal switch, I disconnected the ignition harness from the fuse box. You name it I have unplugged it and re-plugged it but the problem still occurs. I will investigate the rear lights and see if I can determine the ground problem. WOW you guys are really about your reputation. THANKS Soooooooo very much
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 1st, 2008 AT 7:24 PM
Tiny
HONDA168
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have the same problem with my car. How would you fix this?
Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 AT 3:57 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi honda168,

Check the rear taillights wiring for a bad ground. When there is insufficient ground for the taillights, they would get mixed up when operating.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 AT 5:57 AM
Tiny
HONDA168
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
How would I check for a bad ground with a multimeter?

Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 AT 11:41 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi honda168,

Use the ohmmeter mode and test for resistance between the ground wire and body. Anything more than 1 ohm is not good and the higher the ohms, the worse the ground condition. However it must have continuity.

I would suggest loosensing the ground wires and cleaning the contacts before retightening to test.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 8th, 2009 AT 8:07 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links