Long story short...after having my oil changed yesterday, I noticed later that night that my brake lights are now constantly illuminated, as if I had my foot on the pedal. I know it had to be something the shop did somehow...maybe they got oil on an exposed wire, or something...but I'm not gonna pin it on them, I just want to fix it. Some background...it's a 99 SR5 4WD with a manual tranny. It has an aftermarket tow hitch on it that I've used frequently with no issues. There are, however, cut wires sticking out of the firewall in the cabin, near where the clutch pedal is. I've paid no mind to them so far because I haven't had any other electrical issues until now. I've tried pulling the relay marked "tail" and the fuse marked "stop" (no idea if they're related or not) but the lights still stay on. I just want to check and see if this is a common problem, and if it's not, see if anyone has any suggestions. Anyone here good with electronics here? I have basic electrical knowledge and have a multimeter, just not sure where to start.
Brake lights stuck on...
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shootmymime
New member
you say you pull the fuse on the tail lights and the lights are still on?
that means there is an alternitive poser source... STRANGE!!! let me think on it, also try moving the wires you tlaked about and see if they are connected in any way causing at 12V source,
use a Volt meter and see if any of the wires have 12V on them,
that means there is an alternitive poser source... STRANGE!!! let me think on it, also try moving the wires you tlaked about and see if they are connected in any way causing at 12V source,
use a Volt meter and see if any of the wires have 12V on them,
Stick Figure
New member
it would almost have to be the trailer wiring causing it since you pulled the fuses and they stayed illuminated. I would check that and the "bare wires" This might be a bit difficult to troubleshoot if you're not familiar w/ the electrical system though.
I know this is an old thread.
I researched this topic because I found that my 2001 4Runner SR5 brake lights were stuck on this evening, even while the 4R was turned off.
My findings with my 4R was that the micro-switch, under the dash, that stays depressed when your foot is off the pedal was acting up. I wedged a small tool between the pedal bracket and the switch to "depress" the switch further into the casing and it turned my brake lights off.
So, I took a small adjustable wrench and loosened the jam nut, unplugged the switch, and threaded the switch closer to the brake pedal bracket to depress the switch further. Then tightened the jam nut and plugged the switch back in.
This may be an early sign of the micro-switch going bad, but it's a temporary fix.
Hope this helps someone.
I researched this topic because I found that my 2001 4Runner SR5 brake lights were stuck on this evening, even while the 4R was turned off.
My findings with my 4R was that the micro-switch, under the dash, that stays depressed when your foot is off the pedal was acting up. I wedged a small tool between the pedal bracket and the switch to "depress" the switch further into the casing and it turned my brake lights off.
So, I took a small adjustable wrench and loosened the jam nut, unplugged the switch, and threaded the switch closer to the brake pedal bracket to depress the switch further. Then tightened the jam nut and plugged the switch back in.
This may be an early sign of the micro-switch going bad, but it's a temporary fix.
Hope this helps someone.
