OH NO!! My car is confusing brake/interior lights. XMAS HELP

[CanuckQx4]

I hope the mods can please keep this thread here for tonight, this is a huge safety deal for me and my family and I will gladly report the thread myself tomorrow and asked it be closed. Its just really late and I know Im not going to get an answer in my Qx4 forum.

I have a huge problem. my 2001 Qx4 is having a breakdown with its lights and is unsafe to drive and take my family around on christmas!

A few days ago someone told me my brake lights werent working, I shrugged it off Ive heard it before because my tails are tinted. about an hour ago another guy told me my brake lights werent working.. wtf, I pulled into taco bell backwards and looked at my tails in my rearview.

Not only were my brake light working, but they were ALWAYS on, I noticed this when there was no change in output when I hit the brakes, and then got out and noticed my 3rd brake light up top was always lit up.

I came home and checked what was going on, huge problem. With all the lights turned off, both exterior and interior, hit the brakes, and the gear selector lights and all my center console lights illuminate, let go of the brake, they all go off instantly, all 3 brake lights operate fine, but the interior lights should obiously not work my brake pedal. They turn on the exact second my brake neutral switch makes its click, like there connected to the same circuit or somethin

Then when I turn the headlights on, regular dim taillights are supposed to come on to BUT the brake lights light up, my 3rd brake light comes on, like Im hitting the brakes
BUT, if you hit the brake pedal, the tail lights get about 10% brighter(barely noticeable but there is definetely a change in output) and the gear selector light also illuminates when I hit the brakes.

Theres no way I can drive the car tomorrow evening for dinner, and I may resort to renting a car. But I dont think I can drive it this way. I really need help on this pickle guys. Ive tried to think of everything on the car Ive touched but I cant think of a thing that involved wiring or removing anything. Please help!! thank you!!

[CanuckQx4]

[LunarShroud]

With my limited knowledge, it sounds like a short of some kind, possibly a relay getting triggered when it's not supposed to. Sorry I can't help more.

[goody90q45]

Start by looking at the sockets for all brake lamp bulbs including the high mounted brake light. I don't own a QX4 bit it looks like there's 5 bulbs in the 3rd brake light and 2 on each side in the rear? Are the rear lamps similar to the Q45 in that they have one plug to a module holding all the bulbs that easily pulls out of the light assembly? Look for any signs of melting of the lead on the bulb sockets and the same on the receptacle sockets in the module. Also look for scorched or melted wiring in the receptacles. If there is any you may have to replace the bulb modules. Replacing all of the bulbs with long life (LL) bulbs will lower the resistance in the circuit (9 bulbs) and prevent problems in the future. Those of us on the Q45 side of the house prefer Sylvania LL bulbs.

If the sockets and bulbs check out OK there are a couple of relays in the circuit. Look at the electrical section of your FSM starting at about page EL-68 for location and diagnosis of relay issues.

[CanuckQx4]

I will pull the tail lights and check right now

thanks you

[CanuckQx4]

You kinda nailed it in your first sentence lol, I fudge around with to many things and my modifications are ENDLESS on this vehicle

I put in these ebay 36 LED lights for my driving/brake bulb and ofcourse it came from china and quality aparently sucked. I pulled my taillights 20 min ago and just left the bulbs dangling, turned the lights on, everything worked as it did in my first post, but for some reason I decided to touch the 2 aftermarket bulbs I put in while they where lit up

I burnt my hand!!! the passenger side bulb was SCORCHING hot after 1 minute of being on. Pulled it out and put a regular bulb in its place.

All is perfect....

I never would have thought a burnt out/shorted bulb could cause such chaos lol

Cheers!!! merry christmas and thanks

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Can you post up what kind of lights you have so people in the future don't buy the same ones?

[CanuckQx4]

Different seller, but these stupid things

http://cgi.ebay.ca/V-LEDS-WHITE-V-STAR- ... 336386c668

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Thanks!