Author Topic: Brake lights stay on  (Read 5439 times)

Offline ITSANSS

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Brake lights stay on
« on: November 07, 2010, 04:43:32 pm »
1985 Chevrolet Silverado
355c.i. (just a stock remanufactured engine)
700R4

Just did an engine swap and now that the battery is back in, I noticed the brake lights stay on.  I jerked on the pedal, did nothing; stomped on it, nothing; wiggled on it, nothing.  They won't go off.  I've heard/seen worn out brake light switches, but this one was fine before engine swap and even messing with the pedal doesn't do anything.

I had the brake booster out when I painted the engine bay.  Could I have done something to the wires getting that out?  I have to pull the fuse to make them go off.

What should I look for?

Thanks

PS  The blinkers, back-up lights, head lights, etc. work fine still.
« Last Edit: November 07, 2010, 04:47:35 pm by ITSANSS »

Offline Dr_Snooz

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Re: Brake lights stay on
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2010, 04:52:38 pm »
Check the adjustment of the little switch at the pedal. It might just need adjusting.

My brake lights were staying on. It ended up being my trailer brake box. The switch was hanging up.
1989 Chevy Suburban V-2500, 5.7L, TH400

1990 Chevy C-3500 Ext. Cab, 7.4L, 3L80

2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT 4WD, 4.8L, 4L60

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Brake lights stay on
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2010, 05:03:31 pm »
Check the brake light switch.
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Offline ITSANSS

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Re: Brake lights stay on
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2010, 05:24:06 pm »
Where is the switch exactly?  I looked around up there, but didn't see anything obvious (to me).  Of course, there is barely any room to get around and even see up there anyhow.

Got a picture, perhaps?

Thanks

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Brake lights stay on
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2010, 05:25:11 pm »
You can't miss it. Look at the pedal arm and it actually contacts the switch when it returns to the up position.
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline ITSANSS

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Re: Brake lights stay on
« Reply #5 on: November 08, 2010, 08:28:33 pm »
lol  Figured it out.  There's a metal bracket that mounts onto the brake pedal arm.  I had taken it off when removing the brake booster.  I couldn't see the brake light switches (there are two, not sure what other one is for) because of the HVAC duct work.  Jerked out a piece of ducting and, voila, switches.  Then it all came rushing back to me.  Oh, yeah...that little metal bracket that had two shiny spots on the back as if somethin' were rubbin' on it.   ::)

They now work as designed.   :)