Brake lights on

[pookshollow]

I got up this morning and looked out the window. I could see a red light shining from over towards the barn. Couldn't see it from the bathroom window, so thought it might be a reflection of something off of the cube van mirror.

When I went out to do chores, the brake lights on our '83 Ford van were on. I approached very cautiously, in case somebody was there, messing with it. Nobody. Tried pushing and lifting the brake pedal - brake lights stayed on. Got the keys, started it up (battery was getting low) and put it in gear and moved it. Put it in park, brake lights stayed on.

Any ideas what might be causing this? It has an electric brake controller installed, and it's cold here, about 15F.

When DH gets up, he can figure it out, but I'm just kinda curious.

[Kathleen in WI]

I have no idea. I just wanted to say that you're brave to go and look. I would have immediately freaked out. lol Um, and gotten DH out of bed to see what it was. Yes, I know. I'm a wimp.

[Yvonne's hubby]

Originally Posted by Kathleen in AR

I have no idea. I just wanted to say that you're brave to go and look. I would have immediately freaked out. lol Um, and gotten DH out of bed to see what it was. Yes, I know. I'm a wimp.

yer not a wimp, yer smart, let hubby get shot protecting you, thats what we are here for after all.

[debd0712]

I had the same problem with my truck this spring. It ended up that the connection for my trailer lights had corroded and caused a short. No idea if you even have a trailer connection....

Debbie

[Yvonne's hubby]

Originally Posted by pookshollow

I got up this morning and looked out the window. I could see a red light shining from over towards the barn. Couldn't see it from the bathroom window, so thought it might be a reflection of something off of the cube van mirror.

When I went out to do chores, the brake lights on our '83 Ford van were on. I approached very cautiously, in case somebody was there, messing with it. Nobody. Tried pushing and lifting the brake pedal - brake lights stayed on. Got the keys, started it up (battery was getting low) and put it in gear and moved it. Put it in park, brake lights stayed on.

Any ideas what might be causing this? It has an electric brake controller installed, and it's cold here, about 15F.

When DH gets up, he can figure it out, but I'm just kinda curious.

I will hazard a guess here and say theres prolly a bit of moisture in the brake fluid, it froze and turned the brake light switch on. Most of the late models have a hydrolic switch on the master cylinder or the abs unit. not sure about that 83 but even the early style could have kicked on with the cold weather. The battery will go dead soon with the brake lites on and the van not running. Hope all works out well for you.

[cfabe]

Some vehicles have a mechanical switch at the brake pedal instead. With the cold it could have thickened up some grease in the pedal or switch causing it to stick, or there may have been water in the switch (from someone's boots, etc) that froze. For now unhook the battery so it doesn't drain it dead.

[Bandit]

My guess would be the brake light switch is defective , or has moved up in its clamp , allowing it to stay energized .
Bob

[pookshollow]

Well, it turned out to be the manual switch on the electric brake controller. For some reason, it was stuck in the on position. How, I don't know, as we haven't pulled the trailer in well over a year. I drove the van on Saturday, and parked it, and hadn't touched it since.

Gremlins, I guess. Although there was another burned out car (at least the marks were there) on our road this morning. Seems to be the national pastime in this neighbourhood - right next door to the "Rez". Last one went through our front fence.

I just wanted to say that you're brave to go and look.

Well, I had the ever so fierce Golden Retriever with me. As she flushed one of the barn cats out from under the van, I figured it was a safe bet. She could knock down an intruder and lick him to death! The dogs go ballistic if anyone comes up the driveway, even if it's a dog at 3 in the morning. And when I'm in my barn clothes, in the dark, ain't nobody going to know I'm female.

[hunter63]

Thanks for the follow up, so many questions and answers are given, with no idea of the out come.
Good job.

[Kathleen in WI]

Originally Posted by Yvonne's hubby

yer not a wimp, yer smart, let hubby get shot protecting you, thats what we are here for after all.

Yes, that is his purpose. That and killing bugs. blech! I can catch the lizards myself though.

I'm glad for the update too. Isn't it great to have a big, slobbering doofus..er..I mean big fierce dog to protect you when things get worrisome?

[pookshollow]

No, no! The Doofus (aka Pilot) is the other dog! How did you know his name?

[mommagoose_99]

Along time ago we got a phone call in the middle of the night that there was a car in the field behind our house. Hubby went out and it was actually the head lights of our tractor shining in the night. We believe moisture shorted out the old wiring on the tractor. It did the same thing every time it rained.
Linda

[Kathleen in WI]

Originally Posted by pookshollow

No, no! The Doofus (aka Pilot) is the other dog! How did you know his name?

lol I must be psychotic..er..um..psychic.