High Rear Brake Light

[RonJon1997]

I have a '98 Ford Explorer 4x4, @98k miles

This week I noticed the high rear brake light always stays on - not as bright as when the brake is pressed and kind of "twinkling", but still on all the time (regardless of whether the key is inserted or not).

Today I noticed the auto-lock on the doors (all doors lock when you press the brake pedal) did not work. Later, while driving down the road, all the doors locked and I was not pressing the brake pedal.

Anybody have any ideas what is going on? (hoping you don't tell me major electrical problem)

 

[ldspartan]

Do the the brake lights work normally? i.e., on with the brake pedal depressed, off otherwise? It sounds like the switch that detects that the brake pedal is depressed is going, and has an internal short or something similiar. On my old Taurus, this was swtich was right on the top of the brake pedal.

--
Phil

 

[Stephen S]

I would agree...it sounds like the brake light switch. The switch is near the top of the brake pedal bar somewhere and is a cheap and easy fix.

 

[LStoudenmire]

If it is the brake switch, make sure to get a replacement from Ford Dealer. I replaced two in 6 months from a Auto parts store, and only saved two bucks per switch. Not worth it. I think it was only $15.00 from dealer.