Windstar brake lights sticking on

[werner16]

I have a 2000 windstar that we love.One annoying problem when it gets cold only.At almost any temperature below 0 celsius the brake lights stick on until the van is warm.Any thoughts?

[phil-l]

There's a switch on the brake pedal assembly that controls the brake lights.

Try this: With the van cold (and, therefore, your brake lights stuck on) lift 'up' on the brake pedal by sliding your foot behind the pedal. Do the lights go off?

If so, the switch may be sticking, or has come loose from its mount. Or it's possible there's some other reason the pedal isn't returning to its normal height.

[wiswind]

The switch is call Brake On Off (BOO) switch......yes...it was labeled "BOO" on the wiring diagram.....
I have pictures posted of it......I had to change mine for intermittent no brake lights.
Not very expensive, and is easy to change.

One failure that I had with mine also.....1 wire broke off....and I have seen a couple of posts about that happening.
When I repaired it......I spliced in a little more wire to make it longer, resulting in less stress.

There have been a few posts about the GEM......"General Electrical Module" causing brake light problems......I do not have experience with that.....and.....costs more money.....so check into the cheap and easy first.

[garync1]

Mine did the same thing a few weeks back.. It was the switch plunger, I cleaned it with some electrical contact cleaner..It works fine now...

[chasealley]

I just repaired mine on Christmas eve. One (not so sure) test to try is when it is cold and the light is sticking on, put your foot on the BACK SIDE of the brake pedal and pull toward you slightly. On mine the brake light went off so I knew it was a switch or a wire. Usually it didn't stick again after that.

I got a new one from the dealer, don't remember the cost but it was around $30 CDN. He said the part had been superceded 3 times but looked identical to me. Maybe mine had been replaced before. He also only had 1 left because 2 other people had them replaced in the shop that week. So I guess it is a common problem in cold weather.

I took mine apart and took pictures but I've had no time to assemble a HOWTO page since then. Don't remember what I saw either! Glad I kept the photos....

[werner16]

Thanks to all for your help. I guess I will be in there as soon as I get a chance I will let you know