Tail Lights Always On

[confusedperson]

Hello everyone,

I have a question regarding my 1995 Thunderbird. My tail lights stay on whether my car in on or off. Only when I put the emergency lights, or turn signal lights will they blink. Also, the brake lights stay off all the time. I've checked the fuses but there's nothing wrong with them. This has never happened before.

[97Bird]

Do you mean the ignition is on or off or do you mean the light switch is on or off? For the brake lights not working and you know the fuse is good, be sure you have power to both sides of the brake light switch on the brake pedal when the pedal is depressed. The tail lights SHOULD only blink when the directionals or 4 way flasher (emergency) switch is used. With the key removed from the ignition and the light switch on the lights WILL be on. Please clarify your question.

[97Bird]

I should have added if the lights are on with the light switch off, replace the switch. What have you done to the car since the last time you knew they worked properly?

[confusedperson]

Sorry for the confusion, I mean that the tail lights stay on even though the ignition is off and the keys removed. As far as this "light switch" and "brake light switch," I've seen it in images of other cars, but I can't seem to locate it in my car, how does it look like, maybe I accidently turned it on? However, I've done nothing different(I don't think) that would make this happen.

[RickwithaTbird]

the light switch is the switch you use to turn your lights on and off.. the one next to the steering wheel.

[confusedperson]

I got the brake lights to work now, but the tail lights still stay on even though the switch and engine is off. I think I'll be taking 97Bird's advice and replace the switch. Thanks for all your replies.

[flewthecoupe]

Use a multimeter to test your switch to make sure it's the cause. No need to throw money at it if it isn't the problem. Go to www.tccoa.com and do a search for LCM or Lighting Control Module. I don't have a lot of experience with them so I don't know if that may be the problem.

[confusedperson]

Oddly enough the following day (11-15-04) the lights were fine and all was well. I drove to school, but when I came to the car to go home...I turned on the car and it wouldn't let me shift from Parking to any other gear. After 2-3 mins of toggling with the brakes the button on the knob went in and I was able to shift gears. I've been having to press and release the brakes until it allows me to shift gears ever since.

All this happened without me doing anything different with the car, it just changed overnight. So that same day I bought a brake light switch, but have not had time to replace it with the one I have. Hopefully, I have time to do that tomorrow.

As far as what flewthecoupe suggested about the LCM, I'll look into that a little more, perhaps there's a problem somewhere in the LCM.

Also, I was told at the auto parts store that it's possible that there's dust or debri clogging the brake light switch, and that I should try and clean it. I think I'll also be doing that considering previous threads further confirms the clerk's statement.

[confusedperson]

Victory!!! I replaced the brake light switch with the new one and now my car's tail lights work fine and my car shifts gears perfectly! It only took me about 10 minutes to replace it. I'll be inspecting/repairing/cleaning the old switch to have it as a spare. Thank you all for the feedback! Now off to bed it's 12:35am.

[flewthecoupe]

Congrats!