Have you noticed that your brake light is constantly on, even when you are not driving? you might be asking, why won’t my brake lights turn off and how can I fix this issue? If you seek answers to these questions, you are in the right place.
Your brake light is a vital device when driving. If it is not working correctly, you need to do something about it immediately.
As you drive, one thing that informs other road users of your actions is your brake light. If your brake light is not properly functioning, you risk a high chance of an accident.
Safeguard yourself and your car from brake light-related issues by learning why your brake light won’t turn off and how to fix this issue as you read further.
Why Won’t My Brake Lights Turn Off
One of the main reasons why brake lights won’t turn off is a faulty brake light switch. The brake light switch can be located under your dash, attached to the brake pedal. If your light brake lights won’t turn off, you most likely have a bad brake light switch.
Common Reasons Why Your Brake Lights Won’t Turn Off
Below are other reasons why your car’s brake light won’t turn off and how to fix this problem.
1. Bad Brake Light Switch or Sensor
A defective brake light switch may cause the brake light to constantly turn on or off. You need to check your fuse and brake switch to fix this issue. Also, the brake light bulb could be broken, so check it out and replace it if necessary.
To examine the brake light switch, locate it under the dash near the pedal. You should also find the stopper in the brake pedal opposite the brake switch. It is important to check the brake light switch for proper operation. If not, it has to be replaced.
If you cannot find the stopper, search on the floor. It may have fallen and broken. If this has happened, replace the old stopper with a new one. Make sure the new stopper can depress your brake light switch correctly to avoid losing your brake pedal.
Check the holder with a test lamp. If your brake light comes on, you may need to replace the switch. To achieve this, you need an extra hand to help you pump the brake peddle as you go behind the car with the test lamp to check the bulb holder.
2. The Brake Pedal Spring is Not Working
You will notice your brake light won’t turn off if your brake pedal spring is ineffective or weak and cannot go back to its original position after pressing down the brake pedal.
If this problem is confirmed, your vehicle should be taken to a well-trained mechanic for immediate repair.
3. A Bad Electric Line
The electric line within your brake light channel may be faulty, and this could cause your brake light not to turn off. Check the electric line and make sure everything is working correctly.
To check, locate your car’s fuse box, which can be found under the hood or on the kick panel inside the passenger compartment.
You can consult your car manual to help you locate the fuse then examine it to know if it is blown out. If the fuse is blown, you should take your car to an automobile shop to ensure it is fixed.
4. A Stuck Brake Pedal
Whenever your brake pedal is stuck, your brake light will remain on, and the light won’t go off because the pedal is not properly shutting down the switch.
Your brake light will remain on until the linkage between the brake pedal and the brake light switch is appropriately functioning. Corrosion between the switch and the pedal can also cause more problems.
5. Bad or Missing Striker
Nearly all vehicles have a striker at the top of the brake pedal linkage. This component has to switch off the brake light once you release your foot from the brake pedal.
Sometimes, this striker may get weak, wear and brake. Your brake light won’t turn off when this happens.
6. A Bad Socket
A bad socket can cause a brake light not to turn off when it is eroded or has a connection issue. The wire may have become weak, causing it to make a poor connection.
It is pretty easy to replace a bad brake light socket. All you need to do is cut off the old wires, clean the compartment, and replace the old cables with new ones. This is a simple method, and buying the part is very affordable.
7. Circuitry Problems
Occasionally, faulty wiring is the reason why your car’s brake light won’t turn off. If you have worked on your brake light and the issue persists, faulty wiring could likely be the problem.
Make sure you take your vehicle to a mechanic for a proper diagnosis and fix. No matter the cause of the brake light problem, it is dangerous to keep driving your car while the issue has not been resolved.
Also Read: Squeaking Noise While Driving but Not Brakes Applied (Solved)
What Do You Do When Your Brake Lights Won’t Turn Off?
If you notice your car brake light won’t turn off, and you examine it and discover that the issue is not so serious, below are ways you can fix the problem yourself.
1. Fix the Brake Pedal
The most frequent reason why the brake light won’t turn off is that the brake pedal is stuck in place or slightly pressing the switch.
It could be possible to find dirt and debris between the brake light switch and pedal, resulting in the inability of the brake light to go off. If that’s the issue, then it can be fixed easily.
Scrum the contact point between the brake light switch and pedal with an old toothbrush or something similar. This will help remove the debris and dirt. When done with the cleaning, give the brake pedal a good pump to take it back to the proper position.
2. Fix the Damaged Brake Light Switch
Sometimes the problem could be the brake switch. The brake light switch is analog, so you need to press the device to open or close it physically.
After prolonged use, wear and tear can weaken or kill the mechanism of the device, making it start malfunctioning or stop working entirely.
If you notice the brake light switch is the problem, repairing it won’t be possible; instead, replacing it with a new one will.
3. Fix Broken or Misaligned Brake Pedal Stopper
When you step on the brake pedal, the stopper helps ensure it doesn’t move too far; the stopper is usually made of hard plastic material. They can quickly get weak or wear out over time.
Sometimes they become loose and lose their normal position. If the stopper gets weak, loosed, or broken, it is best to replace it with a new one since it is not that expensive.
You can order the part online or get it from an auto parts store close to you, and you can also watch videos on how to replace them yourself using free online video tutorials.
4. Fix the Brake Circuit Wiring
Examine the pigtail harness connected to the brake light switch. This could result from a short circuit, which means the circuit will remain closed even when the switch is open, resulting in your brake light being on.
If you notice a sign of burnt plastic or rodent damage, then that’s the cause of the problem.
A wiring harness can fix it, but that won’t guarantee the solution of the result. The best solution, in this case, is to replace the harness with a new one.
Brake Lights won’t Turn Off and Brake Warning Light Is On
Most cars such as SUVs, Benz, trucks come with a suite of warning lights on their instrument cluster. The warning light on your dashboard will stay on if you have a failed brake light system.
When the warning light comes up on the dashboard, it notifies you of a problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible to avoid accidents.
When your car brake light will not turn off and the warning light displays on the dashboard, do not panic; pull over, call a toll van, and ask for a full inspection and repair.
Also Read: What Does Esc off Mean?
Related Questions – Why Won’t My Brake Lights Turn Off?
Is It Safe to Drive a Car With the Brake Light On?
Don’t take the risk of driving your vehicle when you notice that the brake light warning system is on. If your brake light won’t turn off, it signifies a problem with the brake system.
Why Do the Brake Lights Stay On When the Car Is Off?
The reason why the brake lights stay on when the car is off is a faulty brake light switch. Your car battery will run down if you allow the brake light to remain on when the car is off; disconnect the battery until you solve the issue.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix Brake Lights?
It costs between $20-$150 to fix brake lights. This price depends on your car’s make or model and where you go for the repair.
How Much Does a Brake Light Switch Cost?
A brake light switch replacement generally costs around $30 to $75, depending on the make and model of the vehicle. Getting a brake light switch fixed at a shop will typically add $80 to the repair.
Conclusion
If your brake lights won’t turn off, then your brake light switch may be stuck or defective. It will need to be replaced or repaired. You can accumulate a bigger problem in your vehicle if you don’t fix the problem.
It is essential to fix your brake light problem immediately if it does not turn off. If you don’t, you run an extremely high risk of becoming involved in a fatal accident.