My brake light stays on even when I turn the car off. I tested out the brake switch button and it still doesn’t turn them off. I even installed a new brake switch stopper and doesn’t seem to work. What could possibly be causing this? I’ve been removing the battery attachments so not to drain battery when parked. Also I did find a small plastic piece that look crushed. Is there a separate brake switch that maybe causing this?

 

Questions …

First. You say “brake light”, but you mean “lights”, as in all three, correct?

Next. When you say you “tested out the brake switch button”, what exactly does that mean? You tested it voltage-wise or you tested its actual operation?

Next. With the new switch installed, the brake lights stay on all the time, or only with the car parked and not running or what?

Next. You say you “installed a new brake switch stopper”. Meaning a whole new switch, correct?

Lastly. The switch you replaced, is the Stop Lamp Switch highlighted below, yes?

 

That little plastic piece was one of the stoppers. Theres a switch that tells the car when the brake is depressed, and another that tells it when it isnt. The second one is missing its stopper. It is higher up/more tucked away and you probably just saw the first stopper and assumed there was only one. If you get in there with a flashlight youll find the other switch and the tab on the pedal where the stopper used to be. Take a penny and glue it where that stopper was and your problem will be solved.

 

thanks for the response, these brake lights remain on.


Did a test and even when driving the car with my foot off the brake they remain on. Then also stay on when I turn off my car.

When I say tested; I believe I was testing the function. Got under steering wheel and pressed the switch button in but light still remained on. Also replaced the switch rubber stopper to make sure it was pressing in enough.

No I haven’t replaced the entire switch yet. Only the stopper. Is replacing the whole switch what you’d suggest next?

Yes I believe so

 

ok I will take a look again. This isn’t the ascd switch you’re talking about? There’s an additional brake stopper pad?

 

Its been many years but if my memory serves me correct I had this exact scenario, couldnt figure it out until I realized theres more than one switch+stopper. The first one you see is not the one you have to deal with, the one you want is further up/in where you really gotta get in there with a flashlight to see it.

 

Here is info. from the FSM for the 2003 M.Y.

I’d suggest looking at these items, most notably the condition of the brake pedal clevis pin.

If that turns out good, I’d say replace both switches (stop lamp and cancel).

Occums Razor …

 

from my experience the switches really last, my 02 is at 348,XXX miles and I've owned it since 2012 and so far I've had to change the rubber stoppers once not the switches. the brake pedal has 2, the gas pedal also has one, and the clutch pedal has one also. best to change them all out at once.

when the green one for the gas pedal goes bad your throttle will stop responding. the dealer will try to sell you a whole new brake pedal assembly but the green stopper on the gas pedal is the same as the black one for the brake and clutch.

 

I must have been looking at the wrong pad. Investigated further and the one that was harder to see must have been the brake stopper. Swapped that out and problem solved. Thanks for the feedback everyone!