2004 Hyundai Sonata Brake Lights

ANUBUSANPU

MEMBER
2004 HYUNDAI SONATA
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
83,000 MILES

I am having a problem with my brake lights staying on. I noticed that after I got to work the other day my co worker told me that I had left my lights on.I was certain it was not my head lights because I had checked them.I mashed my brakes and then went out and I thought that was the end of it but when I came down stairs to go to lunch I noticed that they were back on but due to my suprise the battery was not drained. For the last two days I have had this issue and I have no clue to what is wrong and I need your WISDOM.

4 Replies

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

Suspect a faulty brake light switch. The switch is located on the brake pedal arm, under driver side dash. If it sticks it will cause the brake lamps to remain on.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

+5

Monday, March 22nd, 2021 AT 10:53 AM

ANUBUSANPU

MEMBER
2 POSTS

First thing first. Thankyou for the advice, the switch itself was loose and not all the way connected. Here is the thing ever since it has been connected it now seems like the brakes are locking up and stalling the engine and you can smell hot metal. The car will not move, you can put it in gear and feel it go forward or backwards but will not budge as if the brakes are locked tight. After a hour so after setting up you can crank it up and go as if nothing had ever been wrong and low and behold after about 20 minutes of driving the same thing occurs again.

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

-1

Monday, March 22nd, 2021 AT 10:53 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi anubusanpu,

Seems that to resolve a problem you had created another.

When reinstaling the brake switch, the free travel between the pedal and push rod had been misadjusted resulting in the push rod pushing against the booster and this would result in partial application of the brakes at all times. When driving, the brake fluid would heat up resulting in the seizing of the brakes.

If the brake pedal switch is adjustable and has a lock nut, loosen the locknut, disconnect the wire socket. Loosen the brake switch till it is not touching the stopper on the pedal. ( Ensure stopper is in good condition). Slowly turn in till the switch central pin is almost fully depressed. Retighten the lock nut and test free travel. There should be a little clearance ( 3 to 8mm) before the pedal pushes the push rod forward.

If the brake switch is non adjustable, you need to loosen the locknut on the push rod and turn the rod anti clockwise (looking from pedal side) to get the desired free travel.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

+2

Monday, March 22nd, 2021 AT 10:53 AM

BLUELIGHTNIN6