Rear lights won't go out

[draco880]

I tried a search, but wasn't able to find anything relevant. I have a 1994 4.0 XLT with 165k on it that I bought used, so I don't have a complete maintenance picture. Today it's decided not to turn off the rear lights regardless of what I try. Turning the lights on and off via the pull-switch on the dash works for the front lights but not the back ones, and the auto-light switch on the rearview mirror has the same effect. I opened and shut the back door, and it's now firmly closed with no change. To be clear, both brake lights and the light on the top are staying lit, even with the engine off. I also pumped the brakes a few times in case they'd gotten sticky, but they haven't, and felt normal during the drive today.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Lt.Jim]

It could be the switch attached to your brake pedal has gone bad.

 

[kskuke]

I tried a search, but wasn't able to find anything relevant. I have a 1994 4.0 XLT with 165k on it that I bought used, so I don't have a complete maintenance picture. Today it's decided not to turn off the rear lights regardless of what I try. Turning the lights on and off via the pull-switch on the dash works for the front lights but not the back ones, and the auto-light switch on the rearview mirror has the same effect. I opened and shut the back door, and it's now firmly closed with no change. To be clear, both brake lights and the light on the top are staying lit, even with the engine off. I also pumped the brakes a few times in case they'd gotten sticky, but they haven't, and felt normal during the drive today.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I had the EXACT same problem with my 94 Limited, the fix for me was pumping the brakes REAL hard and continuously... not sure, give that a try!

 

[BP_93explorer]

check the switch under the pedal, there might be something lodge on it

 

[draco880]

Cool, thanks very much for the ideas. I'll go give that a try.

 

[Maniak]

That happened to our truck and I thought it was the switch (brake pedal), but in my case the wires going to the switch had melted somewhat and were shorted together.

You do want to figure which light is on, brake or running as they are different wires. If it is brake then the switch (brake switch) would be the most likely culprit. Next would be the multi function switch, then shorted wires..

~Mark

 

[draco880]

Alright, pumping the brakes didn't work yet, but it's definitely the brake lights that are stuck on. I pulled the switch off and cleaned it out but didn't get to take a real good look at it this morning. I should just be looking for obvious malfunctions, like wires melted together, right? I'll do a more thorough investigation tonight and see if I can find something more definitive.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[levishake]

did you check and see if the lights went when you unplugged the switch?

 

[draco880]

Yeah, they do go out. I pulled the plug when I parked it this morning, to avoid wearing down the battery.

 

[levishake]

if your brake lights went put when you unpluged the brake switch at the base of your brake pedal then the switch is bad. Mine only cost 7 bucks at autozone.

 

[draco880]

cool, thanks man. I'll pick up a replacement switch and pop it in.

 

[draco880]

The new switch fixed it. thanks very much for the help.