Brake lights constantly on...?

[Korsair970]

I've been lurking about, trying to keep my high miles 94 Accord in decent shape..

Well the other night my brake lights just came on and wouldn't go off.

I recently had a shop re solder my main relay and rig my dimmer switch so I can't adjust the dash lights, but they come on w/o replacing the dimmer.


Any ideas? I'm sure it's a wiring issue but haven't a clue where to start. Any chance it could be related to the work done recently?

What should I start with?

[JaK FRoSTWhiTE]

Is it the "E-brake" light or the "Brake Lamp" light?

[JTEK24]

It might be the plastic nipple on the brake pedal that broke. It has happened to me before twice and yes your brake lights will stay on and drain your battery eventually.

[HybridKyle]

Super glue a penny over the hole on the pedal assembly...pretty sure the plastic plug broke off, which allows the plunger on the brake light sensor to stay out causing brake lights to stay on.

[Korsair970]

It's the actual lights that are on, and I will go take a look and see if I can find what you guys are talking about. Would be a nice easy fix if it is!

[chrischhorn]

i just stuck a bolt through the hole and put a nut on the other side......Will never have this problem again

[TomQuick]

Nicely done sir, and I dare to say a better fix than the glued on penny!

[HybridKyle]

I've never had a glued penny fall off, and it only cost $0.01

[TomQuick]

Perhaps true, but I'd go for the bolt myself. Actually, I'd likely go for the bolt as a temporary fix while I ordered the correct part from Honda because that is just the way I do things.

[bcjammerx]

local auto store should have those rubber grommets and such, no need to wait on the dealer to ship it.

I've used the local store to replace those in the cb and the 240...exact replacement

[TomQuick]

I've had plenty of experience with exact replacements from auto parts stores . . .

I've got a master cylinder you can have, it's brand new.

Want a couple of slightly used CV shafts?

How about brake pedal pads, made of rubber just like that little button, exact replacement, except the original equipment part lasts for 14 years, the exact replacement last for 3 months before it falls off every day.

If I ever find myself needing to replace that button, I'll use a nut and bolt for a temporary fix, and add the new button to the next order I place with Majestic Honda.

You can use the parts store stuff though, that is certainly up to you. I've used plenty of parts from the parts stores too, just haven't been all that thrilled with most of the results.

[bcjammerx]

ooooo...k? we're talking a freaking piece of rubber...I used a bolt in my 240 and the $2 box of rubber replacements from oreilly for the cb7

I've bought slave cylc, master cyl rebuild kits from them as well...no issues.

And my cv axles came from autozone...they've been on for 8-9 years now...I drive hard...no issues.

my catalytic converter came from autozone...it works fine too, passes inspection

whatever man...just saying that for a little piece of rubber, you can dick around with a nut/bolt or a penny and super glue, or you can order the overpriced dealer piece of rubber, or you can buy a little box of misc rubber pieces from your local auto store. I personally would go either with the misc. box or a bolt/nut...dealers are always overpriced...never worth it.

to each his own

[Korsair970]

Yep, when I went to look I found the plunger broken in several pieces on the floor...


Now my only problem is I dunno where I'm supposed to put the replacement...

Can't really see much under there, and the FSM doesn't have a very good illustration of where to look... blah...


anyone got a photo? in the meantime, I glued most of it back together and I'm gonna rebuild the rest with epoxy, but it still feels flimsy, so I might just do the nut/bolt fix.

[Korsair970]

Picked up a new one for $3 and popped the sucker in, thanks guys. I wouldn't have known apart that part!

[TomQuick]

"dealers are always overpriced...never worth it."

I've ordered a fair number of things from Majestic Honda, and while some of their parts are very expensive, many are right around the same price the parts stores charge, and surprisingly, there are a number of parts that are actually cheaper through Majestic than they are at any of the parts stores near me (including Advance Auto, and Auto Zone).

To each their own, and you use what makes you comfortable. I've got a fair number of parts store parts on my car, I'm just saying that I've found generally parts store stuff tends to be unreliable.

The particular little bit of rubber we are talking about is $1.55 from Majestic. Honda list price on it is $2.15, and most of my local dealers charge list price. That doesn't seem terribly overpriced to me.

I'm not saying you are wrong to go with parts store stuff, just showing you that OEM parts aren't always a lot more expensive.