Index of Crossfire problems and repairs

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onehundred80's Avatar onehundred80 , 04-25-2011 10:39 AM

 

Hi I have a problem that I can’t seem to get any info on. When I turn my headlights on my brake lights come on. Brakes work fine and normal when head lights are off. Any help would be so appreciated

 

Hi Kjmaupin! Welcome to the forum.
First let you know that the brake light switch is under the dash above the brake peddle. However, be advised they are not all the same nor is the wiring. Depends on car, SRT6 and Limited are wired different and there may be something else involved if you have a standard transmission vice the automatic. So if the switch is the problem be sure you get the part number from the one you have and get the proper replacement. There is also a relay in the under hood fuse box.

Anything else going on? Does the wing want to stay up, or cruise control not work?

The wiring diagrams are available free for download in the document section of this website; Good place to start.
And for your info it is best to start a new thread when you have a problem. This would have been better placed in the Trouble Shooting section or Exterior Lighting. Perhaps a moderator will move it.

 

Thank you for finding me. I’ve looked for the switch and there isn’t one for the brake pedal just the two for the clutch. I read that they put it in the booster is that correct? And could you tell me which relay it is ?
Nothing else seems to be wrong. It’s got me so confused and I don’t have any one to help me here so I really do appreciate you responding

 

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Kjmaupin Standard transmissions do not have a brake light switch under the dash. It is on the brake booster under the hood. I would disconnect the electrical connector on the booster and check the switch for continuity. If it is stuck closed then that would be the first thing to replace. Some info says the switch itself is integral to the brake booster and can not be replaced separately. (You must replace the booster and the switch) . I DO NOT KNOW THAT TO BE A FACT. I would think the brake light switch could be replaced by itself. I just do not know as the standard transmission cars are different than anything I own.

Wiring is also different than the automatic trans cars.

The relay for the brakes is in the under hood fuse box near the brake booster. Take off the lid you see two rows of fuses. You must lift that top layer of fuses as the relay you are looking for is under that top layer. You must use a screw driver to pry the tabs loose from the sides and then pull up on that top layer of fuses to get down below. Once under there the relays are up against the back (firewall side) of the fuse box and the brake relay is the one closest to the center of the car. Good Luck!

PS If the brake light switch is at fault your cruise control should not be working. As you know when driving with cruise control and you put on the brake the cruise control disengages. SO if cruise control is working normally I would suspect you have a ground problem in the wiring and not a switch problem. You may need to start at the brake socket in the rear of the car, inspect that completely, and work your way back through that wires

 

Great resource, thanks!