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.
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Instructions
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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.
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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).
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3
Find the brake lightbulbs and remove them. Remember to put them back in before driving again.
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4
Disconnect the negative battery cable. You will have to reconnect it again to start and drive your car.
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5
Make an appointment with your mechanic to have the problem diagnosed and repaired.
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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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Comments
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arminh
Dec 23, 2010
hello...i have a problem with my 1997 audi a4...on the dashboard it keeps saying that my break light is out, but when i step onto my breaks they all work fine...can anyone please help!? -
tea4all
Aug 10, 2010
I had this problem after keeping my car in storage for a year and a half. All I did was push the pedal down and let it come back up quickly a few times. Turns out the switch was just stuck.
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bobbywilkes
Sep 04, 2009
Can someone tell me how to repair a brake light that doesn't come when depress the brake pedal on a Tahoe
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rampg
Sep 07, 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.
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mmichaels1970
Jun 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.
