Brake lights always on

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Selo

Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2019
Posts
37
Reaction score
9
Location
Greensboro nc
First Name
John
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
250
Finished installing the professionally rebuilt 3-on-the-tree steering column in my bone stock 250 ci 1984 C10. Everything works well EXCEPT the brake lights stay on even with ignition switch off. All other lights work fine. Did I bump it and break something (pun intended).

Selo
 

Goldie Driver

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2018
Posts
3,925
Reaction score
6,376
Location
Houston, Texas
First Name
Britt
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
GMC K1500 Suburban
Engine Size
350
Brake lights have constant power, so key on or off doesn't matter .

Probably the brake lights switch got knocked out of adjustment- it just had little plastic ridges on it where it goes into the bracket.
You must be registered for see images attach
 

Selo

Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2019
Posts
37
Reaction score
9
Location
Greensboro nc
First Name
John
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
250
Goldie,

That is exactly what happened. When I released the wire connector and pulled it apart
I unknowingly pulled the switch in the direction of the seat. This moved the switch away from the brake pedal arm so switch could not contact the arm and turn off the switch.

I pushed it back and now works like a charm.

Thanks,

Selo
 
  • Like
Reactions: WFO

Shorty81

Baby Boomer
Joined
Mar 19, 2018
Posts
2,850
Reaction score
5,056
Location
North West ohio
First Name
Darren
Truck Year
86
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
496
Nice to see you keeping a 3 on the tree. Now keep the 250......
 

Selo

Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2019
Posts
37
Reaction score
9
Location
Greensboro nc
First Name
John
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
250
Hey Shorty81,

I love my 3 on-the-tree. Having the column rebuilt by Steering Columns Galore was expensive, but well worth it. I plan to keep the 250 as well. The speedo quit after 200K. I have taken good care of the engine even when the truck has sat for months. I keep the battery on a trickle charger and keep it lubed with full syn. I squirt Marvel Mystery oil in cylinders before cranking and Stabil in the tank. It sat almost a year due to the column issues, but fired right up once my column was in with the new ignition switch and lock cylinder. No smoke and plugs are clean.

My next project is to figure out the serious stumble upon acceleration. Doesn't matter if it is from a stop or while at speed. I bet I need a carb rebuild and to replace some vacuum lines. Any ideas of where to start?

Selo
 

Shorty81

Baby Boomer
Joined
Mar 19, 2018
Posts
2,850
Reaction score
5,056
Location
North West ohio
First Name
Darren
Truck Year
86
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
496
Hey Shorty81,

I love my 3 on-the-tree. Having the column rebuilt by Steering Columns Galore was expensive, but well worth it. I plan to keep the 250 as well. The speedo quit after 200K. I have taken good care of the engine even when the truck has sat for months. I keep the battery on a trickle charger and keep it lubed with full syn. I squirt Marvel Mystery oil in cylinders before cranking and Stabil in the tank. It sat almost a year due to the column issues, but fired right up once my column was in with the new ignition switch and lock cylinder. No smoke and plugs are clean.

My next project is to figure out the serious stumble upon acceleration. Doesn't matter if it is from a stop or while at speed. I bet I need a carb rebuild and to replace some vacuum lines. Any ideas of where to start?

Selo
sounds like a good starting point. Check fuel filter also.
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,085
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
Well now you know where switch is and how it works, you also know where to splice in a brake light defeat switch.
 

Selo

Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2019
Posts
37
Reaction score
9
Location
Greensboro nc
First Name
John
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
250
sounds like a good starting point. Check fuel filter also.
Dang! fuel filter is exactly where I should start. I bet Mr. Maintenance has never changed it cause he never thought of it! Thanks Shorty.
 

Selo

Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2019
Posts
37
Reaction score
9
Location
Greensboro nc
First Name
John
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
250
Well now you know where switch is and how it works, you also know where to splice in a brake light defeat switch.

I appreciate your note, but actually...why would you want to defeat the brake light switch?

Selo
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,085
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
I appreciate your note, but actually...why would you want to defeat the brake light switch?

Selo
Cops have 'em...
 

peats

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2016
Posts
288
Reaction score
236
Location
Pennsylvania
First Name
john
Truck Year
72k5, 81c10 short step, 83k10 short fleet, 03 SSR. 25 chevy doodlebug
Truck Model
k5 c10 k10 SSR doodlebug
Engine Size
406 360 6.2 5.3 171
i would start with the accelerator pump in the carb.
 

dougbert

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2015
Posts
659
Reaction score
174
Location
5535 feet in Utah Mountains
First Name
doug
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K1500/nv4500/np241c/33x12.50x16/4.10 Gears 14BFF
Engine Size
5.3L - 2002 Silverado, rebuilt top end, long tube headers
I appreciate your note, but actually...why would you want to defeat the brake light switch?

Selo

when the zombies are chasing you on a dark night and you hook a left and stop - keeps the brake lights from showing people "HERE I AM"
 

82sbshortbed

Fuckemall!!
Joined
Mar 1, 2018
Posts
14,646
Reaction score
48,566
Location
SE Texas
First Name
Doug
Truck Year
1982, 1984
Truck Model
1500 shortbed, 1500 longbed
Engine Size
454, 305
Cops have 'em...

Haha. When we first got our licenses. My buddy had a cop turn around at night to pull him over. He hauled ass and turned into a field and turned off his lights and engine. The cop pulled into the field and gave him a ticket. Right before he walked back to the squad car. He said " next time you're trying to hide from the cops. Take your foot off the break". He could of used that switch that night. Lol
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
41,857
Posts
903,628
Members
33,370
Latest member
mitchell1128
Top