Brake lights won't go off, please help

Tiny
JOSHUA COOMBS
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 HONDA CRV
Electrical problem 4 cyl 93702 miles

After I turn off my car, my rear brake lights won't turn off. Every once and a while they will turn off when I restart the vehicle and then turn it off again. I'm not sure if it's relevant, but I just changed my battery.

Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008 AT 7:50 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,895 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the brake light switch is broken and needs replacement. It is located by the upper part of the brake pedal and will take about 20 minutes to replace. You can get a replacement switch from Amazon.

Here is a diagram of the switch (BELOW). Try unplugging it first to see if the lights go out.

Please let us know what you find ;)

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, May 22nd, 2017 AT 12:50 PM
Tiny
GIZMO52
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1997 HONDA CRV
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 75,000 MILES
Electrical problem
1997 Honda CRV 4 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 75000 miles

The coldness of the Oklahoma City nights is causing my brake light to stay on when brakes are applied. This problem goes away when either the car is warmed up or the temperature. I recently had my tires changed and they checked the brakes over and the fluid level is ok. Any ideas on what's going on with the brake light?
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Monday, May 22nd, 2017 AT 12:51 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
If your talking about the brake lights, the brake switch may have a problem? Sometimes if you hit the brake two or three times, they go out.

Are you talking about the brake lite on the dash or rear of the vehicle?
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Monday, May 22nd, 2017 AT 12:51 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GIZMO52
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1997 HONDA CRV
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 75,000 MILES
Brakes problem
1997 Honda CRV 4 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 75000 miles

My brake light problem has become more noticeable or frequent with the onset of cold weather here in Oklahoma City. When I apply the brakes, the light stays on- for like 30 min. I had my tires changed recently and the shop okayed the brakes and fluid. Any ideas on the cause?
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Monday, May 22nd, 2017 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Assuming you mea the brake light in the dash panel? Check the parking brake lever to ensure it is fully disengaged
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Monday, May 22nd, 2017 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GIZMO52
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Sorry. Yes, I do mean the dashboard brake light. I have checked the parking brake and it appears to be fully disengaged.
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Monday, May 22nd, 2017 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
If releasing the emergency brake doesn't make the light go off it means that the pressure on one side of the brake system is lower than on the other. Â

There are a couple reasons this could happen:

There could be a leak in one part of the system, making it impossible to hold pressure

The hydraulic fluid could be low

Cars with antilock brakes have an amber or yellow warning light, which usually says ABS. If this light stays illuminated after the bulb check, it indicates a problem with the antilock braking system. The ABS controller will disable the system and your brakes should function as if you don't have ABS. In this case, you can safely drive the car to a mechanic for service.
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Monday, May 22nd, 2017 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
  • MEMBER
  • 0 POST
  • 1997 HONDA CRV
  • 89,000 MILES
Dash brake light stays on in cold weather. If the master cylinder lid is tightened, brake light goes off. Question: can just the MC lid be replaced, and will that fix the problem?
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Monday, May 22nd, 2017 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Is the brake fluid level correct? I don't see how loosening or retightening the cap has anything to do with the indicator light showing.
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Monday, May 22nd, 2017 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KKBALES
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2004 HONDA CRV
  • 4 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 65,000 MILES
2004 Honda CRV 4 cyl All Wheel Drive Automatic 65,000 miles

I changed brake lights and now when headlights are on the brakelights are too. Lights are illuminating on dash when brake pedal is pushed. Key in ignition beep is sounding even though key has been removed.
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Monday, May 22nd, 2017 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Did you change the bulbs or the assembly?
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Monday, May 22nd, 2017 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KKBALES
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Bulbs were replaced, and it's possible the wrong ones were used but have been changed now and I think they are correct.
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Monday, May 22nd, 2017 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
So problem gone?
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Monday, May 22nd, 2017 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KKBALES
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
No, problem is there still even after bulbs changed. Brake lights on when headlights illuminated. Panel acting screwy by lights coming on when brake pedal depressed.
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Monday, May 22nd, 2017 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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O.K. Get me up to speed here why did you replace brake light bulbs? Did you match numbers? Get from Honda?
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Monday, May 22nd, 2017 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KKBALES
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Actually I have it figured out. It was a fuse! Thank you so much for your inquiries
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Monday, May 22nd, 2017 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)

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