brake lights wont go off...

[grey ghost]

1988 535is

The brake lights come on when you start the car and stay on.
My Bentley is MIA, can't find it anywhere.

Regardless of if your foot is on the pedal or not, the brake lights are on all the time, third and both corners.

What am I missing.

[mooseheadm5]

It is probably a bad brake light switch. Unplug it and check to see if the resistance is 0 ohms regardless of pedal position.

[grey ghost]

It is probably a bad brake light switch. Unplug it and check to see if the resistance is 0 ohms regardless of pedal position.

Where is it, on the pedal bracket?

[mooseheadm5]

Yes. The top of the pedal arm presses against it. Also makes sure that it is making full contact. In addition, the later cars have plastic bodied switches. If the switch body breaks and comes loose, the pedal can't actuate it. If the bracket that holds it bends, same story. If it turns out to be the switch, let me know and I'll give you instructions for replacement.

[1stm5nut]

i bet moose is right, the default for that switch is "on"

[C.R. Krieger]

Yes. The top of the pedal arm presses against it. Also makes sure that it is making full contact. In addition, the later cars have plastic bodied switches. If the switch body breaks and comes loose, the pedal can't actuate it. If the bracket that holds it bends, same story. If it turns out to be the switch, let me know and I'll give you instructions for replacement.

I'll take those instructions. Mine was sticking on the other day and I couldn't see how it comes out. I managed to shoot it with switch cleaner and it's working for the moment, but I figure I'll have to swap it out soon. So ...

[mooseheadm5]

For the cars with the plastic switch:

To remove the switch, you must hold the pedal down the entire time. Wedging something between the seat frame and the pedal may be a good idea.

The switch is held in place with plastic tabs that are locked in place with a red sleeve. To pull the sleeve out of the way, you must first pull the white plunger out of the body of the switch. It will feel like you are breaking it, but you are not. It is a self adjusting plunger with little teeth. If you think that the switch is just out of adjustment, let the pedal loose and the plunger will pop back and readjust itself (this may be your problem, CR, caused by wear in the pivots and bending of the bracket.)

Once the plunger is pulled out far enough, you can now pull the red sleeve fully out of the switch.

Once the red sleeve is out of the way, the little plastic tabs can be compressed to allow the switch to pop out of the bracket. I use needle nose pliers. Try not to murder the bracket.

When installing the new switch, DO NOT press the plunger before installation (pull it out far enough for the red sleeve to clear the tabs and no further if it has been pushed in- don't rip it out all the way.) Pop the new switch into the bracket and push the red sleeve into the switch. Once it is in place, let the pedal free again. It will compress the plunger as much as it needs to and you are done.

[C.R. Krieger]

Danke sehr!

[Jb88]

Just used this to fix my switch...Thanks Moose.

[oversteerdawg]

Is this procedure the same for an e24?

[oversteerdawg]

Is this procedure the same for an e24?

Ok, nevermind, I just went and did it and it worked. Mine only needed the plunger to be reset. The e24 has a panel that has 4 screws that needs to be removed first. Even still, it's a 10 minute fix.

[mooseheadm5]

Is this procedure the same for an e24?

Ok, nevermind, I just went and did it and it worked. Mine only needed the plunger to be reset. The e24 has a panel that has 4 screws that needs to be removed first. Even still, it's a 10 minute fix.

The late E24s have that panel to keep you from sliding under the airbag. It's a knee bolster.

E28s didn't get that (not in the US, anyway.)

[Chimi-Changa]

I have this syndrome intermittantly on mine, I also tried resetting the plunger ( thanks Moose) however seems to be still happening...plunger did pull out a few clicks, and pedal came back and pushed it until stopped- new switch?could it be anything else?
( before when it happened pressing the brake pedal did I not make them turn off, driving last night pressing pedal again made them go off but still happening)

[mooseheadm5]

Replace the switch. The contacts are going bad.

[Slow_Ballin']

Just had this same issue on mine. The bracket or tab that my switch mounts to appeared to be twisted ever so slightly. Mine only stayed on when cold, once the car warmed up and I had been driving a couple miles it stopped sticking.

I'm ghetto so I just taped a nickel to my brake pedal arm to make better contact with the button, I'll have to try this whole self adjust tomfoolery you speak of!

[RangerGress]

For the cars with the plastic switch:

To remove the switch, you must hold the pedal down the entire time. Wedging something between the seat frame and the pedal may be a good idea.

The switch is held in place with plastic tabs that are locked in place with a red sleeve. To pull the sleeve out of the way, you must first pull the white plunger out of the body of the switch. It will feel like you are breaking it, but you are not. It is a self adjusting plunger with little teeth. If you think that the switch is just out of adjustment, let the pedal loose and the plunger will pop back and readjust itself (this may be your problem, CR, caused by wear in the pivots and bending of the bracket.)

Once the plunger is pulled out far enough, you can now pull the red sleeve fully out of the switch.

Once the red sleeve is out of the way, the little plastic tabs can be compressed to allow the switch to pop out of the bracket. I use needle nose pliers. Try not to murder the bracket.

When installing the new switch, DO NOT press the plunger before installation (pull it out far enough for the red sleeve to clear the tabs and no further if it has been pushed in- don't rip it out all the way.) Pop the new switch into the bracket and push the red sleeve into the switch. Once it is in place, let the pedal free again. It will compress the plunger as much as it needs to and you are done.

That was very helpful, thanks a lot.