How to Fix a Stuck Brake Light

You know what to do when your neighbor reminds you that you left the headlights on, but what if the brake light is stuck on? Try these steps in the order shown.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check the brake-pedal switch. This small button behind the brake pedal is activated when you press down on the brake pedal and makes the brake light go on. Press the switch by hand to see if it's stuck. If it is, pressing it may force the stuck part.

2. Find the fuse for the brake light and pull it out. Remember to put it back in before driving again (see How to Fix a Faulty Car Fuse).

3. Find the brake lightbulbs and remove them. Remember to put them back in before driving again.

4. Disconnect the negative battery cable. You will have to reconnect it again to start and drive your car.

5. Make an appointment with your mechanic to have the problem diagnosed and repaired.

Tips & Warnings

• Driving with inoperative brake lights can cause an accident. These fixes are temporary--all they do is keep your battery from going dead when you park. Make an appointment with your mechanic to find the cause of the problem.

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[bobbywilkes]

on 9/4/2009 Can someone tell me how to repair a brake light that doesn't come when depress the brake pedal on a Tahoe

[rampg]

on 9/7/2008 There are small plastic buton-like stoppers that deteriorate with time. The are located in the upermost part od the brake pedal assembly under the dash. You'll have to crawl under he dash... Check and change them.

[mmichaels1970]

on 6/26/2007 Just fixed mine a second ago. My button switch was attached ABOVE my pedal bar so that when the pedal was pressed down, the button was released and out. When the pedal was released, the button was supposed to be pressed in (turning the light off). My switch was loose within its mounting so that the pedal was not pressing the button down (it was just sliding the entire switch backwards). I secured the switch back more tightly within the mounting hole and all was fixed. 1992 Cavalier.

[myrella]

on 10/11/2006 http://www.real-tuning.tk "Cars Manuals"

on 11/22/2005 (This only if your vehicle has a proportional valve installed on it)
If the brake light stays on because you have had to purge air from a brake line (replacing a wheel cylinder will do this or a brake line):
1) Have an assistant step on the brake with the key on, but with nothing running.
2) With their foot on the brake, open one of the front bleeders until the brake fluid stops coming out, then close it.
3) With the key on, bleed the brakes in the following order:
passenger rear
drivers rear
passenger front
drivers front
4) If the light didn't go out, check to see if you have either a leaky wheel cylinder, caliber or brakeline.
Check to see if the brake switch on your brake pedal is bad. Also check to see if the master cylinder is leaking into the the brake booster (power brakes only).
5) If those are OK, then your proportional valve has to be replaced, and then bleed the brakes with the key on but not running in the same order as above.