2001 Honda Accord Problems with dashboard lights

MRHOME

MEMBER
2001 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
108,000 MILES

Hi,

For the past 3 weeks I have been in and out of the auto shop. The problem started when the shifter became stuck in park. I was told it was the brake light switch which I replaced.

Now when I shut my car off and take the key out of the ignition the dashboard lights tend to come on about 10-15 minutes later draining the battery. I played around a bit and discovered that when I depress the brake a few times with the key out of the ignition and the car off the dashboard flash on and off and tend to stay on unless I continue to tap the brake pedal.

In addition, maybe coincidentally, I have had my left rear brake light and window (third) brake light burn out in the past three weeks.

What could be causing the problem. Is it a faulty brake light switch. I was also told it could possibly be the ignition switch?

Thank you for your help!

2 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi mrhome,

If the dashlights that you mentioned are the backlights and not the various indicators, the you have 2 problems.

1. Brake light switch faulty or improperly adjusted ( might be due to a bad switch stopper). Check the pedal switch stopper.

2. Brake bulbs burning out should be coincidental or could be due to lights on most of the time resulting in them burning off.

The dashlights turning on could be due to a bad ground at rear taillights and when the brake switch is self applyiing, power being not able to ground at rear, goes back to the dash lights to be grounded as the brake and stop lights share a common ground.