91 240sx -- brake lights stuck on

[gthammers]

I came out of a meeting (90 minutes) and saw my brake lights were on. Initially I thought it was running lights, but I couldn't recall turning them on. Sure enough it was the brake lights. Even better, the contact on the 1157 bulb which runs the brake light filament had heated the brass contact in the bulb socket until it melted back into the plastic. Now contact is intermittent.

I am set to check the brake switch in the morning. Is there anything else which might cause this?

It sucks! My rebuilt KA is running great, almost broken in and ready to play.

Please share your thoughts!

Thanks,Greg

[wa-chiss]

Yup, the BOO (Brake On/Off switch. No joke too, thats just what they call'em)switch sounds like the culprit. There's also wiring too but if all the brakelights were on then I would go ahead and say the BOO switch.

[roamaver]

I just came back home from being away for about 1 1/2 months to find my car dead. So i hooked up the charger and found out the brake lights wont turn off! Is there an easy way to test the On/Off switch? Or an easy fix to this problem? I wanna take my car back to NY with me tommarow but cant unless I guess these damn brake lights workin right.

[positron1]

If it's your brake pedal switch you should look for small pieces of plastic on your front drivers side floor panel. The stock brake pedal switch has a rubber stopper that hardens, cracks and falls out over time and the pieces drop to the floor then your brake lights stay on and drain your battery. You can find the brake pedal switch at the top of the brake pedal. If you feel your way up there you can touch the switch and push it in with your fingers. The best way, that I have found, to fix it is to get a new stopper, pinch it in between a set of needle nose pliers and manuever it in to place. With it pinched between the pliers it literally falls into place.Part number: 46512-H0101 RUBBER-STOPPER $0.70 Nissanparts.cc-very good website!!!!

[gthammers]

excellent reply...

one important thing to note, there are TWO of these 'buttons' and two switches.

I replaced one only to have the other fail the next day.

I had to buy a LH and RH tail light insert from the scrap yard. The brake lights were on for a few hours and melted the bulb sockets.

After you fix the BOO (brake on/off) switch contact buttons, remember that you also have one on your clutch!!!

[roamaver]

Outstanding information man! thank you! There were in fact 4 or 5 peices of plastic sitting on the floor. Although I used slightly "ghetto" way to fix it seems to be going strong. I used a thin peice of metal and some double sided tape lol but good info for anyone else who might run into this problem. Thanks again.

[positron1]

"Ghetto" fixes are cool. I've heard of people using pennies to whatever to fix that thing...whatever gets the job done I say.