Brake lights stay on?

elise82 · Post by **elise82** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 4:23 pm

Just noticed that every so often my brake lights stay on even after I turn off the engine and arm the alarm. They then turn off after about 20 - 30 seconds. I find this really strange.

I've checked my brake pedal and it seems to sit a little lower, about half an inch. I can reach in an lift it slightly and the lights will go off but the pedal just falls down again.

The brakes when driving are very responsive so not sure what has happened.

Any thoughts?

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 12:33 pm

Odd, I don't know the layout for the brake master cylinder and pedals and so on very well. I would suggest that you need to adjust the brake switch to come on when the brakes actually start to work. The pedal should eb pretty much solid all the time, if its not the change the fluid adn check everything for leaks.

111Robin · Post by **111Robin** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 8:19 pm

You just need to adjust the brake light switch. Actually it's not an adjustment, more of a tweak. The switch body is serrated and is pushed through from inside the front compartment to contact the pedal. Pull it out slightly until the lights go off. If it won't stay in position, try wrapping some pipe tape around the body to make it a tighter fit. Obviously if there is actually anyhting wrong with the pedal position then this should be addressed in case there is an underlying problem. The pedal free play is adjusted by threading the push rod in/out at the pedal. This is awkward as you first need to slacken a 3mm grub screw which I have tried but couldn't budge it. There should be a slight preload on the master cylinder, just enough to take the slack out of the pedal. You need to practise cortotionism to get into the pedal, good luck......

Brunty · Post by **Brunty** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 12:09 pm

I had this yesterday after the track day. For some reason the pedal wasn't returning to it's full height. I noticed the pedal height before I knew about the brake lights staying on.

Seemed to cure itself on a nice cool down run home, so I presumed heat or dust in the pedal pivot.

Could be that it just needs some lube.

georgeg33 · Post by **georgeg33** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 3:02 pm

Indeed you did, glad to hear it fixed itself.
Missed you in the pits, so not sure if you were aware of it or not.

Made for some interesting "is he, isn't he, oh sh1t yes he is" moments when we were running behind Greg ,

(photo courtesy of John Stewart.

)

Brunty · Post by **Brunty** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:50 am

Ha ha, that must've been fun

Surprised I didn't get a black flag!

That was a good session btw. Grip really came around then.