Brake lights are present on the back side of your car, and these turn on when you slow the speed or apply brakes. It is the safety indicator for the preceding vehicles that you are using brakes.
Brake lights won’t turn off due to a damaged switch, corroded brake pedal, loose return spring, and damaged striker. In addition, it happens due to faulty wirings, software problems, poor alignment of stoppers, and due to engaged parking brakes.
It is unsafe to drive when the brake lights are on because it can confuse the drivers. Moreover, it is constantly taking power from the batteries and making them weak or dead.
| Brake lights won’t turn off | Solutions |
| Damaged switch | Change switch |
| Corroded brake pedal | Clean the dust and contaminants |
| Loose brake pedal return spring | Avoid frequent brake application |
| Damaged striker | Realign the striker |
| Faulty wirings | Check wire connections |
| Software problems and the parking brake engaged | Update software and disengage parking brake |
| Poor alignment of the stopper | Reposition the stopper correctly |
Damaged switch
The brake light switches are the electrical components responsible for turning lights on and off when you press them.
It can turn off the light when you release the pedal and stop applying pressure. These are small components connected to the pedal and on the lower side of the steering wheel.
Sometimes when you press the pedal, the light becomes on, and you cannot turn it off them because of malfunctioned or broken switch.
These electrical switches sometimes become faulty and get stuck at the on position. As a result, it continuously drains the battery’s power and weakens them.
In addition, damage to switch occurs due to their frequent use and improper handling. Hard pushing of the pedal and lack of knowledge can break them.
Small switches and their internal component are also vulnerable to age-related deterioration and become bad due to their long-time usage.
You cannot repair these switches, and it is better to replace them. Replacement is necessary to decrease accidents and collisions due to high speed.
Take your car to the nearby stations for the replacement of switches. The average cost for their replacement is about $50 to $90, depending on the type and model of the vehicle.
Corroded brake pedal
The corrosion of different braking system parts is common due to their metallic material. Rust or the presence of contaminants causes a problem in contact with the brake pedal and switch.
The hard or thick layer of rust causes the switches to turn on, and the lights remain on during driving. The build-up of corrosion also turns on the switch frequently when you slightly put the foot on the pedal.
The rust accumulates there when you do not clean them properly. For example, touching the pedals with muddy and wet shoes causes this issue.
Moreover, the rotors become rusty due to exposure to rain or dew drops when you park them outside. This is because the thick layer of moisture travels from the rotors and comes there.
The leakage of brake fluid attracts moisture and causes corrosion to accumulate there. You can resolve this problem by adopting scheduled maintenance.
You can also take it for service if you do not have time to do this at home. Check the leakage of the fluid and fix them to reduce rust.
Loose brake pedal return spring
Spring is present on the lower side of the pedal to control its movement. The broken or malfunctioning spring cause issues in their proper movement, and they get stuck at one point.
These springs help take the pedals back to their original position after applying brakes. The broken springs also cause them to get stuck in the engaged position, and you cannot turn off the lights.
Springs lose their strength and weaken, causing improper and frequent pedal engagement. As a result, these cannot return to their position, and the lights stay on.
Change the springs and install new ones. Avoid frequent application of braes in the city area because it causes worn-out or damaged springs.
Damaged striker
The striker is the metal plate that is present on the upper side of the brake pedal. It disengages the switch and turns off the lights when you take off the foot from the pedal.
Sometimes the issue comes with these metallic striker plates and causes a problem in the disengagement of a switch. It remains on and illuminates the lower end.
The striker plates break due to hard pushing and poor handling. Moreover, these also deteriorate when you use them for a longer time.
The alignment of this component for its proper functioning also matters. For example, the poorly aligned striker plates cannot disengage the switch.
Check the alignment of the striker and realigning them at their specific position. Moreover, replace them if they are broken or damaged.
Faulty wirings
The bundle of wires is attached to the switch that transfers power to the brake lights on the car’s rear side.
These wires become faulty and ensure a continuous power supply, and you cannot turn off the lights. Instead, it stays on and illuminates even when you release the pedal.
The issue also comes due to the poor connection of the ground wire. The poor connection between two wires causes this problem.
The malfunctioning cables that connect the switch to the lights cause this issue. You can fix the problem by checking the connections of the wires attached to the switch.
Tighten them if these are loose, or separate them if they meet each other. You can also fix the issue by turning off the vehicle and disconnecting the battery’s negative terminal.
Software problems and the parking brake engaged
The software in the car controls the electric component by sending signals. The software transfers the signal as electricity to turn on the brake lights when you push the brake pedal.
Sometimes these become bad and are unable to transfer the signals correctly. In addition, software issues come when you do not update them timely.
Bugs and software glitches are common, which leads to poor signaling. Moreover, people face the issue when they forget to disengage the parking lights.
Lights on the rear end stay illuminated, showing that you are slowing the speed. Therefore, it is better to disengage the parking brakes to turn them off.
Check the update of the software and keep it updated.
Poor alignment of the stopper
Brake pedal switches are made up of plastic or rubber material, and these are helpful to keep the switches off when the pedal is disengaged.
These are helpful to keep the lights off when the pedal is disengaged. However, sometimes these stoppers become bad due to their less durable material and keep the switches engaged.
Stoppers become bad due to overheating of the pedal. Moreover, the deterioration of plastic material occurs when you do not change them for a longer time.
The alignment issue also comes when pressing the pedals hardly and frequently in city areas. These start to displace from their original position and slip to the side.
You can fix it by replacing the stoppers with new ones. Call the mechanic to inspect the stopper alignment and align them properly.
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