Brake lights turn on by themselves
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Registered User
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: New mexico
Brake lights turn on by themselves
I have an 05 ram 1500 slt with a 5.7. My problem is my brake lights randomly light up, with no key in the ignition and the both with engine off or on. It happens at all times of the day or night. Fuse seems ok, I have replaced the brake pedal switch 3 times. Each time the new switch worked for a bout a week or less. I’m at a loss as to why. My truck is now at a dealer for repair and it’s been 2 weeks and they haven’t a clue. Has anybody else had this issue? And how did you fix it?
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 348
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From: Canada West
Sounds like a short in the brake switch wire somewhere between the switch and the other end of whatever module it plugs into. I suggest you pick a nice sunny day so you can see well and get at tracing every micro-inch of the wire(s).
Q1: are you certain it is the brake lights? It could also be the park lights, meaning a potential similar fault/short in the light switch or wiring to-from whatever module the light switch plugs into.
Q2: do you have a remote start system installed? It could be a fault or glitch in the remote start module - similar to aboves. Or especially if you have the key fob in your back pocket when you are sitting on the couch looking out the window at your truck
Q3: are you a 4x4'er prone to drenching the truck? Is water a possible issue, wet circuits, wet plugs, crazy sh*t happens. Stay out of the puddles for at least a week to let cracks and crevices dry out.
Q1: are you certain it is the brake lights? It could also be the park lights, meaning a potential similar fault/short in the light switch or wiring to-from whatever module the light switch plugs into.
Q2: do you have a remote start system installed? It could be a fault or glitch in the remote start module - similar to aboves. Or especially if you have the key fob in your back pocket when you are sitting on the couch looking out the window at your truck
Q3: are you a 4x4'er prone to drenching the truck? Is water a possible issue, wet circuits, wet plugs, crazy sh*t happens. Stay out of the puddles for at least a week to let cracks and crevices dry out.
Last edited by FaceDeAce; Feb 9, 2018 at 06:14 PM.
Thread Starter
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Registered User
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: New mexico
I assumed brake lights since the front park lights don't come on when the rear lights or 3rd brake light are lit up. I do not have a remote start and it's not 4x4 so I don't go muddin, however I park outside unprotected so water could be a possibility.
I'm starting to think I may have corrosion in the control module from a leak in the battery that started corroding the battery cables.
I also have have an aftermarket trailer brake controller mounted under the dash, professionally installed since I bought the truck and when the brake light go on so does the trailer brake controller. It blinks "OC" open current. I have traced the wire from the trailer brake controller to the rear bumper. I found no cut wires.touching wires or anything out of the ordinary.
I'm starting to think I may have corrosion in the control module from a leak in the battery that started corroding the battery cables.
I also have have an aftermarket trailer brake controller mounted under the dash, professionally installed since I bought the truck and when the brake light go on so does the trailer brake controller. It blinks "OC" open current. I have traced the wire from the trailer brake controller to the rear bumper. I found no cut wires.touching wires or anything out of the ordinary.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 437
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From: Chicago suburbs
I had a problem on a Lincoln Navigator doing this with brake light. Manually asserting the brake controller would turn the lights off. So I figure I had some kind of short in the brake controller.
I would unplug the brake controller if you don't use it all the time and see if it makes a difference. Its an intermittent problem so could be hard to track down if it does not do it at the time checking for the fault.
I would unplug the brake controller if you don't use it all the time and see if it makes a difference. Its an intermittent problem so could be hard to track down if it does not do it at the time checking for the fault.