Why Your Vehicle’s Brake Lights Won’t Turn Off

Your brake system is one of your car’s most important safety features—and that includes your brake lights. They signal to other drivers that you’re slowing down or stopping, which can prevent accidents and other problems on the road. What does it mean when your car’s brake lights won’t turn off?

Here’s why it’s important to get your brakes checked when your brake lights won’t shut off.

How brake lights work

Your brake system is made up of multiple components. We’re used to simply pushing on the brake pedal and getting results, but the process is more complicated than that. Brake systems include the brake pedal, striker, brake light switch, wiring, lights and fuses. Pushing down on the brake pedal disrupts the light switch contact. That allows the brake lights to illuminate and, thus, signal to other drivers that you’re slowing down.

If there’s damage to the brake striker or brake light switch, the light may stay on even when you’re not using the brakes. In turn, this will drain your battery. If your brake lights stay on even when you’re not braking, disconnect your battery after you turn off the vehicle. Then take it in for repairs.

Why do brake lights stay on?

There are a few different reasons why your brake lights may stay on even after you’ve shut the vehicle off. Here are a few of them:

• Faulty light switch: Faulty light switches can keep your brake lights on even when the brake isn’t engaged. You might also notice issues with your cruise control system. Your vehicle may not shift out of park, or the brake lights may stop functioning completely. The brake light switch is usually near your brake pedal. If it’s stuck or the lights stay completely on or off, it’s often due to a faulty light switch.
• Your brake pedal is stuck: Have you noticed problems with the brake pedal itself? Perhaps it is stuck or slow to return to its normal position even when you take your foot off the brake. This may be due to debris in the brake pedal assembly or corroded parts. Make sure that you get it repaired right away. Not only is it a safety issue, but it could damage your vehicle’s brake pads and rotors.
• The brake striker is faulty or missing: The striker is responsible for disengaging the light switch as soon as you take your foot off the pedal. If the brake striker is having problems (or is no longer attached), your switch will disengage, and the brake lights will stay on. Take your vehicle in for repairs right away.
• You have other circuitry problems: Finally, you may notice other circuitry problems. Faulty wiring can cause a number of issues, including brake light illumination. Take your car in as soon as possible since this can be a major safety issue.

Auto Air & Heating, Inc is here to help with your brake light problems. You don’t need to know how brake lights work in order to get yours repaired—call or stop by today to get yours fixed.

Categorised in: Brakes

This post was written by Writer