When you realize that the brake lights stay on when they are not needed to or when they do not turn on at all, then you may be required to change your brake light switch. A brake light switch is an electrical switch that is in charge of activating the brake lights. When you press the pedal of your car, the brake light switch makes contact, and as a result the brake lights are illuminated. Even though the precise designs of brake switches can differ, they all perform the same role of activating the brake lights when the pedal is pressed. The brake lights are very crucial as they alert the driver behind you when you are slowing the car.
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So, when the brake light switch fails, in most cases, the car will show various symptoms and a repair or replacement should be done right away. Here is the two most common bad brake light switch symptoms!
Related: You may want to know what is the symptoms of bad brake rotors.
Brake lights stay on
A common sign of a bad brake light switch is when the brake lights stay on at all times even when not in use. If the brake light switch shorts internally it may make the brake lights to remain illuminated, even in the situation where the pedal is not being pressed. This will lead the brake lights to burn out sooner than they are needed, and also build a parasitic drain on the battery.
Brake lights do not work
Another symptom connected to a bad brake light is the brake lights do not work. If the switch fails, it won’t be in a position to activate the lights when the pedal is pressed and due to this the lights will not work.
Related: Always buy the best brake pads that works.
Conclusion
The brake light does a great job of alerting the car (s) behind you that you’re slowing down. Hence, for you to avoid any accident or other troubles, it’s crucial to repair or replace a bad brake light with urgency. You can visit a professional mechanic to assist you check and replace the bad brake light with a new one.
Meet our professional car mechanic, Russell D. Steele, who has been in this field for five consecutive years and works with several automotive companies. He completed the "AUTOMOTIVE & LIGHT DUTY DIESEL TECHNOLOGY" course from NorthWest Lowa Community College, where he learned essential diagnostic and transportation management skills and became a certified mechanic.
