About a month ago, after stepping out of a store, I noticed my brake lights were on, with the car off. I know nothing about cars, and the guy at auto zone said it was probably the brake light switch, so I tried to replace that, but the ones they showed as being compatible with my car, weren't. the plug was alot bigger on the switch, so he rigged up some wire connectors to the switch, and had me try splicing the wires. Did that, and the lights were still on with the new switch, so I got my money back & reinstalled the old switch.
I have checked and rechecked all the bulbs, I read that the brake lights are dual fillament, and those checked out ok. I noticed one night, the yellow lights on the front sides of the car, are also on very faintly.
Even with disconnecting my battery wherever I go, to save battery life, it lasts me about a week, before I have to do a full charge on it. Any help will be appreciated. I hate taking my car to the mechanic, because I always think it'll be another 500$ job like they usually are.. like when my fuel pump went out last year, in the middle of west texas desertland.
it's possible, but I have no clue on where to even start looking. from the brake switch, it goes into the "tube" of cables, and from there, I'm lost. I tried moving the tube o' cables around that was in the trunk, and still no luck, so it may not be in the trunk area where the short's at.
Are you sure its the BRAKES that are on and not just the TAILS? You said your side markers were on too and thats why I asked. The stalk on the side of the steering wheel that has the light switch on it may have a short. Just a suggestion.
yes, it's the brake lights. when I turn the lights on and I look inside the trunk, at the bulbs, the other filament turns on, with the lights off, the "tail light" filament turns off too.
yes, it's the brake lights. when I turn the lights on and I look inside the trunk, at the bulbs, the other filament turns on, with the lights off, the "tail light" filament turns off too.
Hmm... sucks bro. I know what your going through. I'm currently re-wiring a tanker trailer because the far left tail light is really bright and it back feeds the power through the system and causes all the lights on the semi to turn on. I unhooked all the wires to that tail light at the hub and it went back to normal. The wire is grounding on something but it doesn't make sense, its running through a plastic conduit, there is nothing for it to touch or rub against. It sucks and I feel your pain.
About a month ago, after stepping out of a store, I noticed my brake lights were on, with the car off. I know nothing about cars, and the guy at auto zone said it was probably the brake light switch, so I tried to replace that, but the ones they showed as being compatible with my car, weren't. the plug was alot bigger on the switch, so he rigged up some wire connectors to the switch, and had me try splicing the wires. Did that, and the lights were still on with the new switch, so I got my money back & reinstalled the old switch.
I have checked and rechecked all the bulbs, I read that the brake lights are dual fillament, and those checked out ok. I noticed one night, the yellow lights on the front sides of the car, are also on very faintly.
Even with disconnecting my battery wherever I go, to save battery life, it lasts me about a week, before I have to do a full charge on it. Any help will be appreciated. I hate taking my car to the mechanic, because I always think it'll be another 500$ job like they usually are.. like when my fuel pump went out last year, in the middle of west texas desertland.
Thank you,
Vandermast.
The same thing is happening to my 95 Altima. The first thing is there are two different brake light switches for the 95 Altima. Bring your old one to the dealer and they will be able to replace it. But with that said ... I replaced my switch last night and the brake lights are still on. Right now I'm keeping the fuse out and driving with no brake lights until I can figure out what is wrong.
I don't remember exactly but I think that there is a plastic button that the brake light switch contacts when the pedal is up. Check the contact pad on your switch(s) the threaded end of the switch and the pedal stopper should be between .012 and .039 in. if not then the stopper is broken or the switch needs to be adjusted.
Troy
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That had fallen apart, but the guy at autozone said I could tape a penny to the spot where it was, and I did, and the switch does get depressed all the way with the penny there, I had to adjust the switch over a tiny bit, but it's making full contact. I remembered today, when I took the switch off, to put the (wrong) new one on from auto zone, and the cables were disconnected, the lights were still on.. and I had tried shorting the contacts with a piece of wire, and no change. does this mean the short is beyond the switch? somewhere between the path of the switch and the lamps? pulling the fuses causes no change either.
That had fallen apart, but the guy at autozone said I could tape a penny to the spot where it was, and I did, and the switch does get depressed all the way with the penny there, I had to adjust the switch over a tiny bit, but it's making full contact. I remembered today, when I took the switch off, to put the (wrong) new one on from auto zone, and the cables were disconnected, the lights were still on.. and I had tried shorting the contacts with a piece of wire, and no change. does this mean the short is beyond the switch? somewhere between the path of the switch and the lamps? pulling the fuses causes no change either.
Did you pull the 3rd fuse down on the left side of the drivers side fuse box that is inside the car? That fuse should turn the lights off.
Last edited by Miami95Altima : Aug 19th, 2005 at 06:31 AM.
I have an updated symptom.. Cruise control, when turned on, will not activate, but after 30 seconds the cruise light blinks on & off until you press any of the cruise activation or deactivation buttons, then blinks again after 30 seconds.
ok I figured it out, after researching the cruise control symptom. I found there are 2 switches down activated by the brake pedal, side by side, one (the brake one) was severely hidden by the steering column when looked at from underneath. apparently I tried switching out the cruise control switch and not the brake switch. so I taped some more pennies to that side of the brake pedal, and sure enough, the brake lights turned off. I did find, though, my alternator's not working, hence the weekly necessity for charging.
Thanks for all the effort put into this, everyone. Hope those with the same problem find the same solution.
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