Brake lights stay lit and drain battery 97 Escort sedan

bobhilo

10-05-2005, 10:03 PM

Hi All,
My 97 Escort sedan brake lights stay on brightly lit and eventually drained the battery, and car wouldn't start....the brake lights do go off if you pull the brake pedal toward the rear...so I know it is the Brake lights switch(found out that on the net)

I noticed a light blue round nickel-sized plastic or silacone- transparent disk on the car floor....which is a part of the brake light on/off switch
( I read about it in another post)

As I sit here with my battery charger recharging the dead die hard battery I have some solutions and some questions

My Questions:
Is there a diagram available of the Brake light on off switch? for a 97 Ford Escort sedan? and how to install it? Is it on the internet?

Is it easy to repair?

My Solutions:
BEST TEMPORARY SOLUTION IS PULL THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE(15 amp, diagram is on the fuse box cover) in fuse box near driver side door, there is even a white plastic fuse puller inside the cover of the fuse box,(looks like a clothespin about an inch long) it will save you trouble and save your battery going dead. I learned the hard way today. Pull the fuse out temporarily then put it back in when you go somewhere

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I spent many hours searching the net here are some links
about brake lights staying on just not enough to repair it
http://forum.doityourself.com/archive/index.php/t-2881.html
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/sub_care_clinic/1271771.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_112712_fix-stuck-brake.html

http://experts.about.com/q/780/3917140.htm

hope this helps the next person looking for brake light info :smile:

bobhilo

10-06-2005, 02:00 AM

chevyn0va1

10-06-2005, 08:06 AM

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well I recharged the battery... the car starts...
you MUST replace the brake light fuse to get the automatic transmission lever to shift....and remove the fuse when parked to eliminate battery dying...a pain but a working solution

may sound unrelated but have you checked the integrity of your brake system being sure its all up to specs?

Davescort97

10-07-2005, 04:44 AM

The plunger of the brake light switch is adjusted wrong.Take the electrical connector loose from the switch. Loosen the switch lock nut and turn the switch until the plunger is clear of the brake pedal.Then turn the switch clockwise until the plunger just touches the brake pedal, then turn it one-half turn more or until the brake light goes out and tighten the lock nut. If this doesn't work replace the switch. You can get one at any parts place.

KnHawke

07-23-2008, 07:30 AM

I have a '97 4dr Sport (Manual Trans w/cruise), read this thread over and I am still at a complete loss.
I pulled the fuses for the Brake Lights to get them to turn off, even pulled the large brown plastic switch at the top of the brake pedal, lights remained on.
Am I look at the wrong switch? (as there is another switch near the floor)

AzTumbleweed

07-23-2008, 11:28 AM

If you have cruise control there could be another switch. I'm not sure though.:2cents:

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