Brake lights stay on

Tiny
GENEQ
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 NISSAN FRONTIER
Brakes problem 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual 227000 miles

I installed a new battery and now the brake lights (both tail and high) remain on at all times even with ignition switch off. No warning lights show on dash. I have removed the fuse to save battery. The rotors were replaced. I have had no problems until the battery was replaced yesterday.

Please Help me I love this site!
Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 AT 12:31 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello,

I am not sure at this point if the battery has anything to do with the brake switch as it does not seem to be connected, it may just be a coincident.

So for now let's not think the battery/brake lights are connected and focus on just the brake light.

Check your brake light switch on the brake pedal. It may be out of adjustment or broken internally. Try the adjustment below, but first before working on the brake pedal adjustment make sure the switch is okay. Pull up on the brake pedal and see if the switch plunger is sticking in and pull it out as far as it will go and see if the lights go out. If they do not then press the brake pedal and release see if they stay on and check to see the distance of the plunger to the pedal and again ensure the pedal is out verse the switch is bad.

STOPLIGHT SWITCH & AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROL DEVICE SWITCH
1. Both switches are located below dash panel, at brake pedal bracket. Adjust brake pedal height. See BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT and BRAKE PEDAL FREE PLAY.
2. Check clearance and position of switches. Clearance between brake pedal stopper rubber and threaded end of switch should be 0.01-0.04" (0.25-1.0 mm). To adjust, loosen lock nut and turn switch body. After adjustment, tighten lock nut.

BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT
Check brake pedal free height "H" and depressed height "D" from floor panel to top of brake pedal pad. See Fig. 2. See BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT table. To adjust brake pedal height, loosen lock nut and rotate brake booster input rod. Tighten lock nut to 12-16 ft. Lbs. (16-22 N.M). Ensure rod tip stays inside input rod clevis.

BRAKE PEDAL FREE PLAY
Brake pedal free play "A" should be 0.16-0.47" (4-12 mm). See Fig. 2. To adjust, loosen lock nut and rotate brake booster input rod at clevis. Tighten lock nut to 106-133 INCH lbs. (12-15 N.M). Ensure stoplights go off when brake pedal is released.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 AT 11:31 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hey GENEQ,

It does sounds like the brake light switch here is a diagrams on where it is. Also there is no relay so you don't need to worry about it sticking on.

Please let us know happens so it will help others.

Best, Ken
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Thursday, December 8th, 2016 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
DINOSPAD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 NISSAN FRONTIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 159,225 MILES
Electrical problem
2000 Nissan Frontier 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 159225 miles

My brake lights remain on all the time. I have to remove the fuse to get them to go off. How do I correct this problem. I have ben told the brake light switch may be bad. How big a job is it to fix that?
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Tuesday, November 14th, 2017 AT 12:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EDWARD.S
  • MECHANIC
  • 166 POSTS
Hi, You Need To Replace The brake light switch. Have Your Mechanic Install it. It May be To Difficult, for you to install.

Hope This Helps You,
Edward S.
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Tuesday, November 14th, 2017 AT 12:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RECLU
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 NISSAN FRONTIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
Electrical problem
2000 Nissan Frontier 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 105000 miles

I have a 200 Nissan Frontier Pick up, having problems with my brake lights. When I have my lights on and press the brake, there is hardly any difference in the brightness of the brake light. The 3rd brake light works fine, but the others don't get very brite. I have replaced the bulbs and work fine when the lights are off, but when lights are on, again, no difference in brightness. Almost got rear ended because of brake light. HELP!
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Tuesday, November 14th, 2017 AT 12:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Sounds like it could be the switch at the pedal, or a bad ground in the cicuit.
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Tuesday, November 14th, 2017 AT 12:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MELINDACOMEAU
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 NISSAN FRONTIER
Brakes problem
1999 Nissan Frontier

My rear brake lights will not turn off even when the car is not on (no key in ignition). I have to disconnect a battery terminal to get them to turn off. I have checked the brake pedal, it seems to be in its correct position when not being pressed, it won't raise any higher. The parking lights are not on. Any solutions?
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Tuesday, November 14th, 2017 AT 12:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
The brake light switch is most likely culprit causing brake lights to remain on at all times
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Tuesday, November 14th, 2017 AT 12:04 PM (Merged)

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