Do you notice your brake lights stay on after replacing brake booster?
Perhaps you have observed that your brake lights do not turn off anymore like they used to. We have heard of this issue from a few people. And so, they are concerned about what might have happened and what to do next.
With all that being said, let us look into the common reasons regarding brake light issues and what you can do about them. Let’s dive right into it.
Why Brake Lights Stay On After Replacing Brake Booster
This is a question we get asked a lot by those who have just done a brake booster replacement. According to these car owners, there appears to be no issue with the idle – it still was smooth and the brakes seem to be strong. However, the problem is with the brake lights that stay on. After pulling the switch and checking if everything is in order, it seems the brake pedal stays down at about a quarter of an inch at the pedal. Thus, this does not press the switch well enough to keep the lights from staying on.
With all that being said, it is easy to assume that it could be relevant to the adjustable booster rod. So, they wonder if it would be best to make their rod shorter or longer. Moreover, it does not seem to be possible to make adjustments to the brake light switch with the exception of applying a bit of epoxy to it.
Now, it is most likely that the adjustable booster rod could have triggered the issue. What you can do is to make the rod longer, just to make it possible to have the pedal a bit closer to you. Since the brake switch is delicate, once it is no longer in the right position, the brake lights tend to either stay on or not turn on at all.
There is usually an adjustable plunger to the brake switch. Therefore, you should be able to perform any adjustment to it as needed. Using a pair of wire cutters, pull your brake light switch outward and push your brake pedal down. Once you let go of your brake pedal, it should self adjust.
However, if the brake lights stay on even after shutting the car off, there are a few more reasons why this happens. Keep reading in the next section to find out more about the causes and possible fixes.
Brake Lights Stay On After Replacing Brake Booster (And Other Reasons)
Your brakes are designed to spare you from an accident as the lights notify others when you slow down. So, if the lights are not working as they should, this can lead to safety risks. There are great dangers linked with not having the brake lights turn on. Yet, it is just as frightening to have the lights stuck on.
Therefore, let us look at the possible reasons behind this issue and what you can do about it.
1. Faulty brake light switch
The most typical cause of brake lights not able to turn off is having a faulty brake light switch. Having a defective switch prevents the lights from turning off. As you see, the sensors and switches in your braking system tell the lights each time the pedal is down or up. So, if there are defects to either of these parts, the lights receive an incorrect message.
You can find your brake pedal switch close to the brake pedal. When there are issues to this part, you should be able to make adjustments when need be.
2. Malfunctioning brake pedal spring
The brake pedal has a spring that enables it to return to the original position after releasing it. But the spring tends to become weaker once it is old. Since the pedal is unable to go back to the natural location, the lights stay on. Moreover, this can lead to brake pads staying engaged, which further leads to rotor and pad wear.
If you are certain that the brake pedal spring has an issue, the next thing to do is to have this replaced. By doing so, you can prevent further damage to this component, as well as the pad and the rotor.
3. Stuck brake pedal
Another common cause of the brake lights staying on is when you have a faulty pedal. When you cannot put the brake pedal up from being on the floor, the lights stay on. It is important to have the pedal back to the original position, which triggers the closing of the switch and the turning off of the lights. So, if there is a stuck brake pedal issue, it appears as though you are still stepping on the brake even when you are not.
4. Faulty electrical system
Next up, having issues with your electrical system can affect several components including your brake lights. Any electrical system issue can cause your brake lights to stay on, or other times, the lights may not come on at all. This is a bit difficult to troubleshoot, so it is best to check into other potential problems and rule them out before considering an electrical system fault.
5. Incorrect light bulbs
Not many people are aware of this and they tend to overlook this issue. Yet, it does happen, especially after recently replacing the brake or tail lights. There are different light bulbs – one or two circuits may be used. So, if you put a light bulb that has a single circuit in a socket designed for two circuits, this can cause a short and result in the brake lights turning on. So, be sure to check your light bulb and replace it with the right one if need be.
Read More: Fog Lights Not Working After Led Headlight Install – What To Do!
Final Word
There are many reasons why your brake lights stay on after replacing brake booster. It could be that you need to adjust the rod’s length, or perhaps there are other causes that trigger the problem. So, be sure to diagnose the problem appropriately and have an expert look at it when in doubt. This way, you can maintain peace of mind while you drive on the road.