[SOLVED] Brake lights always on
#1
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 [SOLVED] Brake lights always on
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.
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.
Last edited by novice121; 05-05-2013 at 01:45 PM.
#2
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: URGENT! Backlights lit up out of nowhere
backlights
Tail lights?
Brake lights?
Reverse lights?
Just random lights in the rear of the car?
Whut whut?
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.
#3
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: URGENT! Backlights lit up out of nowhere
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.
#4
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: URGENT! Backlights lit up out of nowhere
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.
The alarm system should be the original, as I was told when I bought it, but wouldn't know how to check.
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?
#5
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: URGENT! Backlights lit up out of nowhere
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.
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.
#6
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: URGENT! Backlights lit up out of nowhere
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.
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
The fob uses a Sony CR2025 battery which I can't replace until tomorrow (just came from Radioshack and CVS/Walgreens, no luck).
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.
Could there maybe something that needs to be reset in the fuse box?
#7
7th Gen Civic DIY Enthusiast!
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Honolulu, HI USA
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Rep Power: 161 Re: URGENT! Backlights lit up out of nowhere
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.
Piece #13 below.
#8
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
#10
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: URGENT! Backlights lit up out of nowhere
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.
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.
#11
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: URGENT! Backlights lit up out of nowhere
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.
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.
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.
Piece #13 below.
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:
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
MamaBear2015
Electrical, Wiring, and In Car Entertainment
8
05-27-2015 12:04 PM
trellex
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
5
05-24-2015 04:39 PM
Ma213802
Electrical, Wiring, and In Car Entertainment
8
05-18-2015 07:01 AM