Why does the brake light stay on when the car is turned off?
2 Answers
If the brake light remains on after the car is turned off, it is most likely due to a faulty brake switch. Here is some knowledge about brake lights: Principle of brake lights: In simple models, power passes through a fuse to the brake switch. When the brake pedal is pressed, the switch connects, sending electricity to the two brake lights and one high-mounted brake light, completing the circuit through the negative wire connected to the car body. Function of brake lights: Brake lights are bright and highly visible, primarily used to alert following vehicles that the car is slowing down or stopping. Incorrect use or malfunction of brake lights can easily lead to rear-end collisions.
Last time my car had the same issue - the brake lights stayed on even after the engine was off. I was so anxious that I circled the car several times. Eventually, I found out the spring in the brake light switch was jammed. It's that plastic component right above the brake pedal. After five years of use, the part had worn out and was constantly pressing against the switch, keeping the lights on. Luckily I disconnected the battery cable in time, otherwise the car definitely wouldn't start in the morning. If you don't have tools to fix it immediately, you can try pulling the brake pedal upward as a temporary solution. But the best approach is to drive to a repair shop and replace the switch - it's just a small part costing around a few dozen yuan.
