Brake lights permanently on
 

Hi, latest woe on my ZT diesel...

My ABS & brake warning lights seem to have reset and gone away and my speedo works?? This was after disconnecting the battery for 2 weeks whilst I was on my hols... :shrug: No idea why all now working, but fingers crossed..

So obviously to stop me from actually enjoying driving with no faults.. I started her up to drive to work after a couple of days of not using, and the brake lights came on immediately I started the car, and will not turn off until you turn off the ignition!

I have disconnected the battery again, so maybe in a couple of days all will be well, or most likely the wheels will fall off!

I tried to see where the brake light switch was located on the pedal box, but access looks difficult and I was not sure what I was looking for to possibly change it..

Does anyone have any suggestions or cures, I am nearly 2hrs from my nearest T4.

Thanks Phil.....

The brake switch may just need its position resetting. Push the brake pedal down, reach up and pull the switch down then gently release the brake pedal.

You almost certainly don't need a T4 session.
I doubt another battery reset will cure the problem (but you may be lucky).
I've had a few 75's & ZT's in with the same issue & in fact it happened on my own 190.
The brake light switch was the culprit on mine & others I've done.
Try a reset first by pushing down the pedal & pulling the switch down (towards the floor).
If you have to renew, they are fiddly to do but with a little patience, you'll be fine.

Beaten to the 'reset' by Mike!

You definitely don't need a T4 or battery reset. The problem is the brake light switch, follow the advice in the earlier post. Also helps to remove the lower interior panel and panel around light switch module, module can be taken out and pulled forward a bit, then you can see things a bit more.

I had a similar problem, but my switch kept moving back all the time, I ended up putting a cable tie round it to hold in place, very fiddly but seems ok now, hopefully. Btw if remove the third brake light cover inside you can see the third brake light working helpful if you're doing a bodge like I did :eek::D:getmecoat:. I certainly will not be able to change the switch myself, back won't let lie over the sill long enough. There is a "How to" in the Technical section I think.
Martyn

Try fuse 13, if its blown your brake lights will stay on!

Thanks all for your advice... as always... will try both the fuse and fiddling with the switch! Then will wait and see what the car decides to do ( or not ) next!!

Don't bother fiddling with the switch, fuse 13 is blown ;)

As Trikey said, it only took us two days two new brake pedal switches and a replacement LSM to find this particular fault ;)

Brian :D

It took us two days, then you called and said try fuse 13 :bowdown:

This particular remedy sticks in my mind as it had me beat!!

Surely, it depends what's happening, are the brake lights on as soon as the ignition is on or like my problem they would stay on when I braked then I had to turn off ignition and they would go off until brake pedal is pushed again:shrug:
Martyn

Well all, between the rain on Exmoor, I went through the whole fuse box, all fuses look OK, tried repositioning the brake light switch, which did seem a bit easy to move, but no result. Purchased a new switch from Rimmers, which I have fitted today ( Yes it really is a pig of a job ), was all hopeful.... and no, brake lights are still on!! Now I notice that my rear nearside MG7 taillight is very dull, not illuminating properly. I suppose I will go through all the fuses again tomorrow, but I am sadly at the point of giving up on my much loved car, as I am tired of the constant niggles :-( It just seems to be one thing after another, with no respite...

Oh, and just to add, the screen on my din cd / sat nav is slowly going bright / dim... probably means something!