Brake Lights

[RobinS]

On a trip recently was walking back towards the van and noticed that that lights were on on the back. Checked all light switches and everything was turned off, and the keys were not in the ignition. Theb discovered that a rucksack that I had stowed out of the way in the drivers footwell was pressing on the brake pedal - operating the brake lights. Are they supposed to come on with the ignition off? I can see this could be an easy way to inadvertently flatten the main battery!

Robin

[motorwizard]

A lot of cars are wired that way

[daveblueozzie]

yes its normal like the earlier post said most cars brake light come on without the ignition on (well all the japanese cars ive had anyway and thats a lot)

[RobnKathryn]

Yes, 've been caught out by this; I was wiring up remote central locking in the door panel, and trying to get it to make the hazards flash when activated.............I walked round the van to see if they were working but only noticed the brake lights were on and very hot! How did I manage that? Spent a while checking my wiring then moved my toolbox from the drivers footwell to get access to the fusebox to research further.......noticed the brake pedal move as I did...and the rest is history!!!

Felt more than a little stupid as I'm familiar with the fact that Korean and Japaneses cars all seem to have brakelights, horn, and fuel guage working without ignition on.

[RobinS]

This is my first Japanese vehicle, and can't say I've ever noticed it on any of my other vehicles - though it's only in a camper that you tend to want to store stuff in such places! Will have to watch out, as the footwells are normally good places to dump wet gear!

Robin