Mechanics?? Chevy truck brake lights will not shut off

Big 86 · Jul 31, 2012

Having some trouble with my 1997 Chevy K2500 truck, hoping someone on the board will be able to get me pointed in the right direction to get it fixed.

The brake lights are on all the time, running or not. Brake pedal pressed or not, the lights are on. I was able to shut them off by pulling the relay in the fuse box under the hood, above the driver's side wheel. The other lights work fine, turn signal, hazards, headlights, dome, etc. Thinking that possibly the switch on the brake pedal is faulty, I tried to disconnect that and see if that made a difference, but was not able to get at the connector to unplug the switch.

Okay, if this isn't enough, now the third brake light is on even with the brake relay removed. The two brake lights on the back of the truck are still off, but the third light on the back of the cab is on. I am pretty sure it was off when I first pulled the relay. So now the truck sits with battery disconnected until I can get this fixed.

Any thoughts or ideas on this? Problem appeared suddenly, nothing has been done or changed on the truck in almost a month. Any help would be appreciated.

steve in wi · Jul 31, 2012

Your brake switch is going out,pull up on the brake pedal with
the top of your foot and lights should go out,it only move light
1/8 inch.that s normal Chevy thing

fordtractorpro · Jul 31, 2012

Brake light switch is stuck.
unplug and replace.

Royse · Jul 31, 2012

I'm not real familiar with that model, but on other models I have found the switch you're talking about to be the fault.
Not always bad, sometimes just full of dust/dirt from use and can be cleaned out an re-used.
If you can get to the plunger, you might just try spraying it out with contact cleaner while you have the battery disconnected, work it up and down with the peddle until it moves freely and let it dry out good before you hook the battery back up.
You could also take a multimeter and read continuity across it while it's powered down to see if the switch is shutting off or not.

DownSouth · Jul 31, 2012

Typical Chevy. It's telling you it's tired and probably worn out and it just doesn't want to go anymore. I'm guessing it's getting close to 100K?
Sorry, just couldn't resist. No harm intended.

huntingreen2day · Jul 31, 2012

I hope it is not like the one I had off my 1996 with the 6.5 engine today. A complete PIA. It is up above the brake pedal and hard as he?? to get to.Has a metal clip holding it on the shaft that the power brake booster rod fits over. If it is the same as mine buy a new metal clip before you start.

Red Mud · Jul 31, 2012

If they go out by pulling up on the pedal then the converter lockup was probably not working either.

Dick2 · Aug 1, 2012

I doubt that anyone is compiling statistics, but I see a lot more posts about problems with Chevy trucks than any other brands of trucks. Yet people keep buying them - must be gluttons for punishment.

However, I did have to replace 2 cargo light bulbs and 1 tail light bulb in the Toyota Tundra when it got to be 9 years old. Might have to endure that in another 9 years.

greygoat · Aug 1, 2012

My 51 Chev 1 ton did that, I put a "Pull Back"
spring on it...it"s a Chev thing.

MN Scott · Aug 1, 2012

Simple reason is that most older chevys are still on the road long after all the rest have been sent to china. A few minor repairs here and there but they refuse to die.

Todd Hovick · Aug 1, 2012

Not a Chevy, but my 96 Dodge did the same thing after launching a boat, The trailer connector was shorting out and needed to be cleaned.

earlschieb · Aug 1, 2012

Finally, someone gave you a good answer. I was going to, but read all of the replies first. Brake light switch, under the dash, off to the side of the column. Pain in the azz if you are over weight, disabled, stove up, or wore out, but you can do it.

Aaron Ford · Aug 1, 2012

I found that with my 2002 Olds that the headlights are always hot. They switch the ground in the PCM? Anyhow the wiring schematic had to get revised when I decided to wire 4 light high beams through a relay. Perhaps you have a wire grounded?

Aaron

Big Mike · Aug 1, 2012

Check out the switch at the pedal. Musta worked out of adjustment....

Big 86 · Aug 1, 2012

Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate the help.

Looks like the brake switch is the problem, and yes it is a real pain to replace. One of those stand on your head jobs looking up into a small area with little room to work with. A few years back I replaced a brake booster on a similar truck, darned if I can remember how I dealt with the brake switch on that job. Guess I'll just see how this one goes.

Again, thank you to all who responded.

Big 86 · Aug 1, 2012

Update on progress.

After about an hour of wrestling around on the floor I finally managed to get the metal clip off and switch out. Reconnected battery and all lights are off, so switch is bad. Metal clip got bent up some but I think it will be reusable.

Now to getting a new switch. I am planning on going to the GM dealer for a new switch and metal clip, just in case. Searched online a little and it seems the aftermarket switches are hit and miss, and most recommended GM since that is also the best source for the metal clips.

Any thoughts on this?

Mechanics?? Chevy truck brake lights will not shut off

Big 86

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steve in wi

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fordtractorpro

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Royse

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DownSouth

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huntingreen2day

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Red Mud

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Dick2

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greygoat

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MN Scott

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Todd Hovick

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earlschieb

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Aaron Ford

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Big Mike

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Big 86

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Big 86

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