severe, since it’s in your best interest to make sure the automobiles in traffic behind you are alerted to your slowing down. Additionally, your cruise control won’t operate properly if your brake light switch is damaged. A faulty switch won’t cause the cruise control to turn off if the brake lights come on. Fortunately, this is a fairly simple, anxiety-free repair.
The switch is conveniently placed just next to the brake pedal, next to the ball of your right foot. It’s possible that the switch can be installed without using any tools at all. Most autos should have labor costs of $20 to $50. The lower dashboard of some luxury vehicles might need to be disassembled, which could cost $100 or more.
In This Article...
How can I tell if my brake light switch needs to be repaired?
You’ve checked the brake light fuse and the brake light bulbs, but the power to those areas is still not working. You should in this case examine the brake light switch. It is a device that joins and completes the electrical circuit for the brake lights in a car. It’s a relatively straightforward two-wire switch, with one wire controlling power coming in and the other controlling power leaving.
The switch, which is close to the brake pedal, is probably marked. Get your test light out once more, and ground it just like you did when you examined the fuses. Place the sensor on just one of the two wires while maintaining a firm grip on the brake pedal. Next, examine the other wire. The test lamps will light up if the switch is functioning properly and the power is connected. The brake light switch needs to be replaced if it doesn’t illuminate. Use the owner’s manual to find the major “power in” and “power out” lines if your switch has a more intricate design with more than two wires. Then, test those wires.
If you try all of these solutions and your brake lights still don’t function, there may be other systems in your car that require inspection. For instance, if your car’s turn signals and brake lights are wired together, you’ll need to check those systems’ fuses. Modern automobiles come equipped with an exclusive “brake light control module,” an integrated computer system, and onboard diagnostic scans to identify any issues.
Generally speaking, repairing a car’s brake lights is simple, but there are times when you should seek the advice of a qualified mechanic. It’s crucial to get those lights fixed as quickly as possible, whatever your car needs.
Where is the switch for the brake lights?
Where is the Switch for the Brake Light? This switch, which is a component of the brake pedal assembly, can be found either under the dashboard or on the firewall next to the pedal lever’s top. One can easily be replaced.
Nissan Recall PC786: What is It?
NOTE: The use of this unique tool is now included in NTB21-003. Dealers should use this tool to promptly modify the brake pedal position switch and stop lamp switch.
NTB21-003
Each vehicle falling within the scope of this voluntary recall campaign, which for any reason enters the service department, must have its campaign status checked by the dealer using Service Comm or DBS National Service History using the appropriate Campaign ID. This applies to vehicles in dealer inventory as well as those obtained from private sellers or displayed by transient (tourist) owners. The letter associated with a VIN subject to this recall campaign should be sent to the proper dealer for service completion if it was part of a dealer swap.
Is Pathfinder subject to a recall?
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling a small number of 2022 Nissan Pathfinder and INFINITI QX60 cars. There might be a mounting bolt missing from the second-row seat track. Because of this, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, “Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages,” is not met by these automobiles.
The danger of injury may increase if a mounting bolt is missing and allows the seat track to shift during a collision.
Dealers will check the second-row seat track and, if required, replace the mounting bolt at no additional cost. On April 13, 2022, owner notification letters were sent out. Nissan customers can reach customer care by calling 1-800-867-7669. Nissan’s recall numbers are PC867 and PC868.
Certain 2022 Pathfinder vehicles are being recalled by Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan). The interior parts of the third-row headrests may be misaligned or improperly welded, which might cause the headrest to shift or separate. Because of this, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, “Head Restraints,” is not met by these cars.
In a collision, headrests that shift or separate may not be able to appropriately restrain passengers, leading to a higher risk of injuries.
All three headrests for the third-row seats will be replaced by dealers at no cost. On November 17, 2021, owner notification letters were sent out. Nissan customers can reach customer care by calling 1-800-867-7669. PC844 is Nissan’s reference number for this recall.
Certain 2022 Pathfinder vehicles are being recalled by Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan). There could be insufficient welds that cause the second-row seat back frames to detach.
The danger of injury rises if seat backs with split welds are unable to appropriately hold passengers during a collision.
Dealers will free of charge examine and replace the seat assemblies as needed. On November 17, 2021, owner notification letters were sent out. Nissan customers can reach customer care by calling 1-800-867-7669. Nissan’s recall reference numbers are PC845, PC846, and PC847.
Certain 2013–2015 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles are being recalled by Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan). The brake light switch relay could frequently open and close depending on where it is located. As a result, the relay may eventually become stuck in the “ON” position, keeping the brake lights on even when the brakes are not being used. Furthermore, it might prevent the brake-shift interlock from working properly, allowing the driver to shift the car out of “Park” without hitting the brake pedal.
Continuous brake light illumination can make it difficult for other drivers to see that the car is genuinely slowing down, which raises the possibility of a collision. The likelihood of a collision will rise if the brake override is engaged because the driver won’t be able to accelerate properly. Without applying the brake, the driver can move the car out of “PARK,” causing it to roll away and increasing the risk of injury.
Depending on the model year of the vehicle, Nissan will inform owners, and dealers will check and, if necessary, either reinstall the brake light switch or switch the positions with the Automatic Speed Control Device (ASCD) switch. Additionally, a new brake light relay will be installed. There will be no cost for any repairs. On March 1st, 2021, the recall started. Nissan customers can reach customer care by calling 1-800-867-7669. PC786 is Nissan’s number for this recall. Take note that this recall replaces 16V-380.
Is AutoZone a brake light switch replacement shop?
Problems with the brake light switch or turn signals A replacement switch can be placed after you check the connection to the switch for corrosion or other problems and buy it at your neighborhood AutoZone.
What does the brake light fuse look like?
It’s unlikely that all three of your brake lights’ separate bulbs have burned out if none of them are functioning. The likelihood that you have an electrical system issue is much higher. Be at ease. It could appear difficult and pricey. Most likely, the electrical system issue is simply a blown brake light system fuse.
As each component of the car’s electrical system is protected by a fuse from amperage overload, the remainder of the car isn’t damaged if one goes out. If the fuse blows, electricity cannot reach the lights, even if everything else is in working order.
The power distribution center, which is either hidden behind the hood or under the dashboard, is where you’ll find the brake light system fuse, as well as all other fuses. The power distribution center is a new concept to you? It is merely another name for a fuse box. Locate the fuse that corresponds to the brake lights using the owner’s manual for your automobile.
For the next step, you must connect a test light (you can get one at any auto parts store). Turn the ignition of your car to the “on” position, take hold of the test light, connect it to a ground source, such as the dash or the car’s body, and gently touch the tester’s tip to each end of the fuse. Now, lightly depress the gas pedal. The test light should be on. If so, the fuse is working properly, and the broken brake light bulb is most likely the source of the issue. However, if the connection is only pressed on one side of the fuse and the test light turns on, the fuse is bad. No matter where the test light is linked to the fuse, if it doesn’t illuminate at all, you must replace the fuse. Verify that the replacement’s amp rating matches that of the original fuse.
But hold on—you’re not done yet! You must retest it after installing a new fuse. If both lights turn on, the fuse is operational, and the issue has been resolved. Be mindful that an electrical problem further up in the system may be indicated by a blown fuse. The replacement fuse will also blow in this scenario, therefore you need get in touch with an electrician to find the precise location of the problem.
When you press the pedal and the new fuse doesn’t light, the circuit is shorted out. That is a more difficult and expensive repair that must be done by a qualified mechanic.
What may make brake lights cease functioning?
Your car has to have functional brake lights. They serve as both a safety feature and a kindness to other motorists. Brake lights that are illuminated show that your automobile is slowing down or coming to a halt, allowing oncoming traffic plenty of time to stop whether it is daytime, low light, or complete darkness. A traffic penalty may be issued if your brake lights malfunction in addition to everything else.
However, you can prevent all of those issues by periodically testing your brake lights—a few times a year should be plenty. It’s crucial to do a test before the winter months of diminished light. For the sake of safety, fix your brake lights as soon as possible.
You can easily test your brakes. Simply have a buddy stand behind the vehicle while you depress the brake, and ask them to let you know if everything appears to be in order. If you’re working alone, put up a mirror or place a broomstick on the pedal and tuck it behind the seat before walking behind the car and checking yourself. (Of course, the vehicle must be in “park” for this to work.) Check all of your brake lights as well. Modern automobiles have three brake lights: a center light in the trunk or back window, one brake light on each side in the rear, both of which are embedded in the rear bumper.
Of course, a car’s electrical system, which includes a number of switches and fuses to safeguard circuits, is what powers the brake lights. One of three things could be the case if one or more of your brake lights aren’t functioning properly: either the brake light system fuse has blown, the brake light bulbs have burned out, or the brake light wire switch has malfunctioned. These problems are all simple to fix.