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Brake Lights won't cut off

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Old 11-18-2009, 09:44 PM
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vtmustangs
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Default Brake Lights won't cut off

So today as I was coming home I noticed that my cruise control wasn't working which was odd but when I got home I noticed that my brake lights won't cut off. I have spent over 2 hours trying to figure out what the problem is. I checked the fuse and that is fine. I believe I disconnected the wire to the brake switch but the light remained on. Just some background but it was raining today and I did have to slam on brakes at one point on the way home. I have never had the leaking problem and the floor isn't wet but I think it may have something to do with the slamming on the brakes. Let me know if anybody has any advice. I attached a picture of what I was looking at under the dash. I disconnected the wire leading to the blue thing which I believe is the brake switch.
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Old 11-18-2009, 10:36 PM
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Art161
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If the car thinks the brakes are applied, the cruise control won't work. Did you try physically pulling up on the brake pedal to rule out a mechanical, rather than electrical, problem?
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Old 11-18-2009, 10:41 PM
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socalwrench
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Most likely a failed or mis-adjusted brake switch. That would affect the lights and prevent the cruise control from operating.
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Old 11-18-2009, 10:44 PM
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charliebrown266
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I would say something with the brake light switch aswell.
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Old 11-18-2009, 10:46 PM
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vtmustangs
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Originally Posted by Art161
If the car thinks the brakes are applied, the cruise control won't work. Did you try physically pulling up on the brake pedal to rule out a mechanical, rather than electrical, problem?
first thing I tried and it did nothing....good thing because would feel real dumb about now.

Originally Posted by socalwrench
Most likely a failed or mis-adjusted brake switch. That would affect the lights and prevent the cruise control from operating.
but if you disconnect the wire from the switch shouldn't that cut the power to the lights?
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Old 11-19-2009, 08:20 AM
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Nuke
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Hopefully, these will aid in troubleshooting. I'd probably begin lifting leads one at a time to see what can be ruled out.

http://iihs.net/fsm/?dir=40&viewfile...se%20Lamps.pdf

http://iihs.net/fsm/?dir=40&viewfile...%20Control.pdf

Last edited by Nuke; 11-19-2009 at 08:22 AM.
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Old 11-19-2009, 08:33 AM
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cut wires until break light shuts off
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Old 11-19-2009, 01:04 PM
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vtmustangs
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Originally Posted by Pony123
cut wires until break light shuts off

Don't think I am going to go this route. I think it must be a short somewhere but might just take it to Firestone tomorrow because outside of pulling out fuses, the electical stuff is not my specialty
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Old 11-19-2009, 01:14 PM
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use a DVM... actually, don't unless you know what you're doing lol.

I messed up a few times myself.
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Old 11-19-2009, 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by vtmustangs
Don't think I am going to go this route. I think it must be a short somewhere but might just take it to Firestone tomorrow because outside of pulling out fuses, the electical stuff is not my specialty
Firestone? I'll bet the guyz at Firestone don't know jack about electrical systems, especially the S197. I think I'd trust it with the dealership before I'd trust Firestone. I might trust Firestone to fix a flat or anything else with my tires but an electrical issue? Good luck...
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