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Cars these days have electronic switches connected to the computer system, and they operate simply, until a little glitch shows up. In my case, the brake switch plunger strike pad had disintegrated. This little half inch button goes into a metal pad that presses against the brake switch when the brake is released. The cruise control operates the same, both activated by the brake pedal, both found under the dash. If not this, the switch might be bad. Both found at Advance Auto.
These Toyotas had daytime running lights. The headlights and the taillights turn on when you start the car. If you press the brake pedal, the rear lights (and the brake light in the rear window) should come on brighter.
I have never heard of the brake light staying on (The brighter filament in the two-filament bulb). Hope this helps.
My first guess would be a ground problem. The bulbs are mounted in plastic sockets and grounded to the car by a black wire. If one socket is not grounded it will try to ground thru a different socket. I would check for voltage and ground on each socket in the back.
If the car thinks the brakes are on, then the switch on the brake pedal lever under the dash is bad. But this switch is not the only switch you have. IF your system works like the Ford products I am use to, then another interlock is present to prevent you shifting out of Park without pressing the brakes.
If you are able to shift without your foot on the brake, you are still getting a signal to the second interlock with the trans. This means the brake pedal switch is saying your foot is pressing the pedal. Some cars are in the data base for Autozone.com. If you can register your car for free, most will have free wiring diagrams and fusebox layouts.
You may have a relay for brake lights on a Mercedes. Other cars usually do not because it affects reliability. But a stuck brake relay could keep the light circuit on, if equipped.
A better scanner can do brake functions and all you need to do is plug in the tester to the ABS port and see if the abs is identifying a problem. The cheaper scanners do not have this feature.
A remote possibility is that you have a bad Master cylinder and the pedal is not returning to the full upright position.
the break light switch has a needle like rod that pushes up against a flat plastic bushing. The bushing has probably fallen out. Without the bushing the rod has nothing to push against. So, your brake light stays on. I replaced mine with a rubber press screw that fits perfectly in the small hole. Rubber press screws are generally used to secure rubber splash guards under vehicles. They push in and don't back out. Now reattach your break light switch and the rod will now have a bushing to push against.
your brake lights are connected to a button that is adjustable on the upper end of the brake pedal, under the dash. check and adjust the button so it is only activated when the brake is pressed.
Did you adjust the brake light switch correctly? To adjust the brake light switch, first press the brake pedal down a few inches, then pull the switch plunger rod out of the switch toward the brake pedal arm, as far as you can without using excessive force. Next, return the brake pedal to the pedal stop positionagainst the pedal stop and pull the brake pedal toward the rear to push the brake light switch actuating plunger rod into the switch housing limited by the travel of the brake pedal arm rear travel stop position. This procedure automatically adjusts the brake light switch correctly.
If the brake lights still don't turn off with the brake pedal released, check the brake pedal arm for sticking or binding that is preventing the brake pedal arm from returning fully to the pedal stop when the brake is released.
There should be at least 2 bulbs in the light assembly. One light is the light that is on when you turn on your headlights with out the brake pressed, the other light only lights up while you press on the brake. Make sure you are replacing the correct bulb. You may have been replacing the bulb that stays on. Your lights may be set up to turn off the light that stays on when the headlights are on while pressing the brakes.
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