brake lights

Tonight I was in my 92 town car when I noticed when I pressed the brake the brake lights would come on, even the car was not running and the key wasn’t even in the ignition. I made sure the key was out of the ignition and even tried locking the doors and the brake light would still come on when you pushed the brake pedal. I was wondering if the brake light is supposed to come on even if the car isn’t running, when you push the pedal. I have a stereo that can be turned on even when the ignition is off but I don’t think that would have anything to do with it.

Perfectly normal my friend :)

In fact, I'm quite sure this is also the case with every vehicle on the planet.

WOW!!! Can't believe it. Found Steve in error for once. Many of the foreign cars and some american cars must have the ignition switch on for the brake lights to work. As far as I know all Lincolns brake lights work without the switch being on.

Yeah, if you got done driving before you push on the brakes, it's normal. If you just got in your car, then I'm not sure. I'll try this later and get back to you.

Just checked mine, been sitting since last night and left the key in the house - the brake lights came on. Called two friends with TCs, one a 96 and one a 99 and a friend with a 98 Crown Vic. All of them say theirs come on with out a key being on.

WOW!!! Can't believe it. Found Steve in error for once.

<ashamed, sitting in the corner sulking> :( :(

Personally, and I've been around awhile, I've never owned a vehicle where the brake lights were not always hot.

I've seen at least one writeup for the private detective industry detailing how to disable door switch (interior lights) and brake lights for those days when your trying to be incognito, doing surveillance and such. You don't want to be accidentally blinking your lights while your spying on folks.

I'd be curious to know which ones aren't always hot, just curious.. learning curve, you know :)