Brake lights always on?

[CDL1542]

After my ebrake cable broke, I have noticed that my brake lights stay on even when the car is off. I did not have this issue before and am trying to figure out what the issue is. I understand that there is a switch where the hande is, but that doesn't seem to be it. I have a new cable on order and hope that once I install it, this will correct the issue, but I would like to hear if there is anything else that could be causing it.

[jfa.series1]

Seems like just a coincidence - no connection between the ebrake and brake lights. A possible cause is a stuck switch at the brake pedal or the adjustment nut has moved on the switch.

[SteveJ]

While this circuit is specifically for a 72, it should work for your car: Hazard Switch ? Brake Light ? Turn Signal Circuit Analysis | Fiddling With Z Cars

As you can see from the diagram in the link, there is no interface between the brake lights and the emergency brake, just as Jim said.

On the other hand, the emergency brake handle does have a contact for the brake warning light in the instrument cluster.

[jonathanrussell]

I just had a very similar coincidence resulting in my brake lights staying on all the time. The problem was the brake light switch at the brake pedal as suggested above. The switch can go bad of course. In my case....and I bet in yours....the object that causes the switch to depress (which turns off the brake lights) broke apart (plastic). I replaced the broken piece of plastic with a suitable nut and bolt. The hex bolt head is now what the button presses against. I had to also re-adjust the switch so that it engages and disengages as it should.

Have someone watch your brake lights while you reach up under your brake pedal and depress the switch button.

j

Edited October 27, 2014 by jonathanrussell

[CDL1542]

Have someone watch your brake lights while you reach up under your brake pedal and depress the switch button.

j

Funny thing is, I did this the other day and it was perfect. Then the ebrake cable goes and they're always on. Checked it out and you were right. No issues now! Drove a solid 30 miles with not a single issue. Next project will be putting the new cable in though!

[CDL1542]

Alright so now my issue is this: Brake lights work, hazards work, blinkers work and headlights work BUT at night when I'm driving the tail lights are off. The brake lights work so I'm sure it isn't the bulbs or anything obvious. Any ideas? Checking the wiring diagram as I type this.

[SteveJ]

How about the side markers and dash lights? Are they coming on?

[CDL1542]

How about the side markers and dash lights? Are they coming on?

No, those weren't work either. I'm thinking it might be a loose wire in one of the connections in the steering column? Looking forward to hearing what you have to say on the subject.

[SteveJ]

It's all the same circuit. Download the manual supplement from XenonS30.

Inspect the side markers and front markers. Sometimes corrosion can build up and short the lights. Inspect the connector between the combo switch and the dash h arness for evidence of overheating. Inspect your fuse box. Between poor contact between the fuse clip & fuse and the extra current from corrosion in the marker lights, the fuse box has been known to melt down.

Having eliminated all of that, the contacts in the switch could be coated with too much carbon, preventing the circuit from closing.

[CDL1542]

So I spent almost 6 hours yesterday tracing out wires and following the diagram. I did find the issue with the tail lights though! As it turns out I had a short. After replacing a few bulbs, fixing some wiring issues and such, I'm one step closer to having everything perfect. Now to figure out the dome light and more importantly the wiper motor. The wiper motor is continuous and the switch works (tested with a multimeter) but is not recieving any power. That aside the motor is shot anyway and I will be doing the honda motor upgrade. Hopefully I can get power to it though. I found a color coded wiring diagram and it is VERY helpful.