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Hi, so I have a Civic 2001 EX regularly maintained that I don't drive much.

6 days ago I reset the "Maint/Required" successfully following a guide from here. I haven't driven the car since until today a friend comes over and tells me my backlights are lit up.

All switches were off, and emergency brake, I left the car off.

I try to start it but the battery is out, weird thing is, the backlights are still lit up.

So I disconnect the battery, and when I connect it again, the alarm goes off (the alarm stopped working a few years back), and the original key with the button to disable it doesn't work anymore (used to work well in the past), maybe I just need to replace its mini battery for the key.


Anyways, would anyone know why the backlights would lit up for no reason like this? It never happened before.

Also, we didn't want to jump the car with my friend's car in case there was a shortening or something within my car. Don't know if that would help at all, just wanted to be safer and ask first.

 
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Define this word please.

Tail lights?
Brake lights?
Reverse lights?
Just random lights in the rear of the car?
Whut whut?






I suppose this is an aftermarket alarm too.

 
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Sorry, they would be the brake lights, as well as the spoiler light that also lits up with the brakes.


The alarm system should be the original, as I was told when I bought it, but wouldn't know how to check.

 
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Set a trash can or something behind the car so you can tell if the lights are on or off. (Or another person with at least one good eye and 2 brain cells.)
Lift the brake pedal with your toe, see if the lights go out.
If so, the switch might just need adjusted.

If the lights still remain lit, the switch could have been knocked out of its mount bracket. Could be bad. Could be a lot of things, all related to the brake light switch.
Stuff your head under the dash to investigate it.
Get a service manual if you need one.

What fob does it have?

This type is OEM




Does it have 2 buttons or 3? (not counting the panic button)
Does the 3rd button say OPTION as above, or does it have the pic of a car trunk lid?

 
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I have an OEM fob as shown, with only 2 buttons.


I have tried lifting and pushing on the break on contact, but the lights remain lit whatsoever, and don't even blink or go off unless we disconnect the battery.

The fob uses a Sony CR2025 battery which I can't replace until tomorrow (just came from Radioshack and CVS/Walgreens, no luck).


Could there maybe something that needs to be reset in the fuse box? Will do more research as we go.


Thanks for your help! Like you said, it could be anything at this point, so hopefully is not so bad.

 
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Stuff your head under the dash, find the brake light switch.
Unplug it. If the lights are off now, then figure out what is wrong with the switch.

A new switch from a dealer should be dang cheap, I show 8.15 (McDoubles, USA) list price



Voltmeter check the battery. 3v IIRC. Should say right on the battery.

Does the red LED on the fob light when you push the buttons? Battery is probably ok if it does.

Programming it to the car is simple, DIY


You have an EX, it came from the factory with keyless but not security. Dealer added the security unit. You should have the red LED stuck in the center of the steering column top cover.
You need to read/follow the user manual to figure out how to enable or disable functions on the system.

I bet the system defaulted to original configuration when the battery was disconnected.


No.

 
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Look to see if piece #13 is still attached to the brake pedal. It's a little white plastic piece that pushes against the brake light switch to shut them off when the brakes not depressed. I've seen them rot and break and fall out of the hole. There could be remenants laying on your driver side floor board some where.

Piece #13 below.

 
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Good call.

 
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Thanks. I had to reread your posts a few times to make sure you didn't already mention it. It was the first thing that popped in to my head when he said all three brake lights were staying on.

 
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I saw "all 3 lights on" as "they share the same circuit, so of course they all should be on".


I guess I was expecting that anyone stuffing their head up under the dash should be able to figure out what is wrong just by watching how it operates.... You know, the pedal moves, something has to hit the plunger on the switch body, the plunger opens the switch contacts, etc.
I keep forgetting that I don't think like everyone else.

 
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This is some nice info, thanks!


This was exactly it! I would've never thought a switch like that would depend on a piece so fragile and easily wearable 46505-SA5-000 PAD, PEDAL STOPPER

As shown here: [code]http://www.hondapartscheap.com/parts-catalog/honda/civic/2001/2dr-ex/ka4at/chassis/pedal[/code]

However I ordered it from eBay a bit cheaper, and hopefully shipped faster ( I went to a few local junkers and places that sell all kinds of parts but none had it):

[code]http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=111017685992[/code]

Thanks a lot again, I really appreciated!


Just for kicks, a pic of the ol' retired pedal stopper: