Pressing the brake causes lights indicator on dash to come on

[getza1]

So after getting the high beam issue and the no tail light issue figured out, I still have the "lights" indicator on the dash coming on when I press the brake in.

I have read a few posts and all of them suggest replacing the bulbs which I have done for all the brake lights that are located in the trunk lid and also the upper brake light located in the car. I got a new lamp failure sensor from the junk yard which actually fixed the issue of the tail lights not coming on at all.

So my question is, is the new lamp failure sensor I got from the junk yard going bad or have a short in it? Or is there a short somewhere else and where should I start looking? I don't know how to chase down shorts, etc. But I did buy a multimeter I just need to figure out how to use it .

Aaron

[PaulyJay]

silly question, have you checked to see if all the lights are the same wattage?

[90camdx4]

you could start by checking your wiring for rear brake lights...it's the ones on driver side in the trunk....CHECK the entire bunch for any cuts etc....and look for corrision in bulb sockets as well...hope that helps

[getza1]

I went and bought all new bulbs last night for the lights that are in the trunk lid so I'm sure those are the same wattage. I'm going to replace the other rear lights tonight just so I know that all bulbs are new and same wattage.

I will check the cabling and make sure there is no cuts or anything also.

I did notice one other odd thing and I'm not sure if the car is supposed to be doing this or not. So I parked the car, turned it off but I still had the lights on. When I opened the door the lights shut off, although the light switch was turned all the way forward.

Is that how the car is supposed to react or is that a short too?

[atobe]

yes that's normal some of them had that as an option

[getza1]

Great. That makes me feel better. I have just been seeing some odd electrical stuff going on so it seems that everything that happens, I never know if it is a short or how the car is supposed to react.

Once I get this lights indicator figured out I think I will have the electrical stuff working pretty well.

[dutd33]

Originally Posted by getza1

Great. That makes me feel better. I have just been seeing some odd electrical stuff going on so it seems that everything that happens, I never know if it is a short or how the car is supposed to react.

Once I get this lights indicator figured out I think I will have the electrical stuff working pretty well.

Hey getza1, I hope you figure it out soon because I have the exact same problem. Does your tail light warning light go away when you're not pressing the brake pedal or is it on all the time?

Thanks.

[91gen2]

Originally Posted by getza1

So after getting the high beam issue and the no tail light issue figured out, I still have the "lights" indicator on the dash coming on when I press the brake in.

I have read a few posts and all of them suggest replacing the bulbs which I have done for all the brake lights that are located in the trunk lid and also the upper brake light located in the car. I got a new lamp failure sensor from the junk yard which actually fixed the issue of the tail lights not coming on at all.

So my question is, is the new lamp failure sensor I got from the junk yard going bad or have a short in it? Or is there a short somewhere else and where should I start looking? I don't know how to chase down shorts, etc. But I did buy a multimeter I just need to figure out how to use it .

Aaron

I had the same problem which turned out to be that the previous owner had changed the taillight bulbs using a single element bulb in a dual element socket, causing a short whenever the brakes were pressed, and also whenever the lights were turned on. Sounds like you have that part covered though since you replaced them (correctly I assume), but double check anyway.

[getza1]

Dutd33 I will let you know what the issue is if I can get it figured out. 91gen2, there is still the lower lights in the rear that I need to replace the bulbs for so hopefully it will go away once I'm done with that.

Thanks for the tip.

[dutd33]

Originally Posted by getza1

Dutd33 I will let you know what the issue is if I can get it figured out. 91gen2, there is still the lower lights in the rear that I need to replace the bulbs for so hopefully it will go away once I'm done with that.

Thanks for the tip.

OK, problem solved. I changed all the bulbs but that didn't fix the problem. I also checked the yellow tail-light failure sensor box but it wasn't burnt out. It turns out that the wiring on my aftermarket 1157 socket was hooked up wrong. ISSUE RESOLVED... whew!