2001 LE Intermittent Uncommanded Brake Lights

[WANGDM]

2001 Pathfinder LE. 78,500 miles. Honolulu. Brake lights, including center light, come on while car is parked and locked, seemingly with no external input. Lights stay on for a few seconds to a couple of minutes and then go out, again with no apparent external input. Always happens with key fob within 100 feet of the car but without anything on the key fob being pushed. Space aliens, the US Navy or something more practical? (By-the-way, I’m not picking on the Navy – it is conceivable a high powered radar on a Pearl Harbor ship is doing funny things to the Pathfinder. But, why only my Pathfinder and not other cars in the neighborhood…)

[vannaksao]

Just the rear lights? Do you have an aftermarket alarm? If you do, is your old one still installed too? Any toys or gadgets cut into the electric wires?

Vannak

[fleurys]

change your batteries of your remote... I can only think that the signal is either stuck or it is a nice feature to tell you that the batteries are almost done...

[WANGDM]

Thanks guys for ideas... This one has me stumped. No TSBs even close and nothing jumps up in searches of the forums.

Vannak - No after market stuff. All original equip seemingly in good working order.

Fleurys - good idea on key fob batteries. Will give it a try. May also try leaving key fobs at work to completely isolate them as a cause (or, obviously if that makes a difference, to zero in on them as the cause).

Aloha

WANGDM

[vannaksao]

If you are 200% sure that this ONLY happens when the key fob is near, then yes- start there. Check the batteries and let us know what happens.

[Chuck Tribolet]

I'd check the switch at the brake pedal.

The fob flashes the turn signal lights, not the stop lights.


Chuck

[ARKQX33V6]

Contacts break in key FOB they may now be hanging on by a bit of solder. Pry open the case, your going to change batteries anyway. Check to see the square discs gently, if any fly off the FOB needs repairs. I have used aluminum foil wrapped and cut to the proper size to extend the life to 13.xx years, but even this fix has a lifespan

[WANGDM]

Much appreciate advice/suggestions.

Installed a new "Switch Assy - Stop Lamp" last evening and it appears to have done the trick. Will watch for a few days to see if I can declare victory.

Lesson learned: Don't assume a problem is more complicated than it may be. In this case the key fob, space aliens and Navy were distractors from what appears to have been failure of a simple - and cheap - switch.

WANGDM