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Brake light is always on.

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Offline AJMBLAZER

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Brake light is always on.
« on: February 17, 2011, 05:38:46 AM »
'02 Tracker 4 door 4x4, 2.0L 4cyl with the 5 speed stick.  The brake light is almost always on.  Parking brake works excellent and OCCASIONALLY (very, very) the light will go off when I release the parking brake but usually comes back on shortly afterward.

Drives fine, brakes fine, fluid is up to level...

...where's the switch for the brake light? ???  Thinking it must be sticking.

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Offline Novadon

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Re: Brake light is always on.
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2011, 05:54:51 AM »
It's under the center console and contacts the e-brake lever.
99' Suzuki Grand Vitara, 2.5, 4wd, 5spd.
72 Nova, SB, A/C, Power disk/drum & steering,
03' Honda Odyssey

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Offline Teniente

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Re: Brake light is always on.
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2011, 07:54:14 AM »
Not to horn in on your post, but I have a 2000 Tracker, 2dr, manual trans, 4x4 and the 3rd brake light comes on when I turn on the ignition switch and stays on........had the vehicle for 2 years and didn't notice (when I drive it)......my wife let me know......any clues???????
It's five o'clock somewhere!!

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Offline Novadon

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Re: Brake light is always on.
« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2011, 08:15:32 AM »
THAT is strange!  :o Only the third brake light and not in conjunction w/the regular brake lights nor parking lights? You've got some crossed / shorted wiring there somewhere.

Did this happen maybe with any sort of maintenance or mods performed at the same time?
Trailer hitch, radio or lighting install?
99' Suzuki Grand Vitara, 2.5, 4wd, 5spd.
72 Nova, SB, A/C, Power disk/drum & steering,
03' Honda Odyssey

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Offline Teniente

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Re: Brake light is always on.
« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2011, 02:58:05 PM »
Novadon.....unknown, purchased the Tracker used.........guess I'm gonna hgave to track it down.

Just the 3rd light stays in the "on" or "brake" position, so it is getting power from somewhere!!!
It's five o'clock somewhere!!

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Offline Novadon

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Re: Brake light is always on.
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2011, 05:50:16 AM »
If you don't find an obvious wiring mess up, you COULD disconnect the light's current power source and pull power off of one of the regular (corner) brake light leads.  ::)  As long as that new circuit doesn't double as a blinking turn signal, you'd be OK.

Just a thought...you know how some vehicle third brake lights BLINK when activated? I don't think our Zuki's are like that, but IF they are, then maybe the relay (or whatever causes them to blink) is fried closed?  :-\ I know. It's a stretch.
« Last Edit: February 19, 2011, 05:53:38 AM by Novadon »
99' Suzuki Grand Vitara, 2.5, 4wd, 5spd.
72 Nova, SB, A/C, Power disk/drum & steering,
03' Honda Odyssey

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Offline Teniente

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Re: Brake light is always on.
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2011, 05:52:30 AM »
Yup, my thoughts also.......Thanks!!!!
It's five o'clock somewhere!!

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Offline skahre

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Re: Brake light is always on.
« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2011, 02:46:21 PM »
Back to the OP:

If you are referring to the red light in the dash that indicates the Parking Brake is on, then mine is doing something similar.  I comes on when I make a hard left turn, particularly on cold mornings.  The contact must be REALLY close and when centrifugal force pulls it slightly to the right, it closes the circuit.  I've made sure the lever is all the way down, but it does it anyway.  Nothing more than a slight annoyance right now, but if it gets to where it stays on more of the time, then I'll have to start hunting for it.

Hasn't always done it, just started this past Winter. . .
'02 Tracker 4dr 4X4
2.0L, 5-Speed
Stock except:
215-75R15 AT tires
Drilled-out airbox w/ K&N

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Offline AJMBLAZER

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Re: Brake light is always on.
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2011, 02:59:41 PM »
I figure the switch must be sticking.  Don't have a service manual for it yet and it's been cold so I haven't dinked with it.  It's just on 99% of the time and every person who rides in it for the first time asks but other than that doesn't bother me.

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Offline fordem

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Re: Brake light is always on.
« Reply #9 on: February 28, 2011, 04:55:20 PM »
Back to the OP:

If you are referring to the red light in the dash that indicates the Parking Brake is on, then mine is doing something similar.  I comes on when I make a hard left turn, particularly on cold mornings.  The contact must be REALLY close and when centrifugal force pulls it slightly to the right, it closes the circuit.  I've made sure the lever is all the way down, but it does it anyway.  Nothing more than a slight annoyance right now, but if it gets to where it stays on more of the time, then I'll have to start hunting for it.

Hasn't always done it, just started this past Winter. . .

I'd start by checking the brake fluid - it's probably low - and the centrifugal force in the hard left turn causes the fluid to slosh and the low fluid switch closes for an instant.  I would check it sooner rather than later, because if there is a leak, the consequences could be nasty.
'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
'16 APK416 Vitara
'21 A6G415 Jimny

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Offline skahre

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Re: Brake light is always on.
« Reply #10 on: March 01, 2011, 08:34:24 AM »
The parking brake light is the same as the brake system warning light?  Now I'm going to have to check my owner's manual . . .

Glad you brought that up!
'02 Tracker 4dr 4X4
2.0L, 5-Speed
Stock except:
215-75R15 AT tires
Drilled-out airbox w/ K&N

Re: Brake light is always on.
« Reply #11 on: March 16, 2011, 02:40:02 PM »
Been away a while, due to loss of cyber box.  My 2001 4 door 2.5 GV has had this sort of thing since I got it about 90k miles ago.  Wnen I release the E brake, the idiot light on the dash dims but does not extinguish.  A slight jiggle of the ignition switch (I just pull back slightly on the key) gets it out.  Look for an ignition switch possibility.

Pat

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Offline jeff1997

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Re: Brake light is always on.
« Reply #12 on: March 16, 2011, 02:50:03 PM »
I had a coin fall in the console on mine and contacted the switch. The light came on when turning or hitting bumps. I found it and no more problems.
1997 4dr. Sidekick Sport 1.8L DOHC
2" coil spacers- I make and sell 1.5" and 2" on e-bay.  Look under seller: hoepkers
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Offline gsherred

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Re: Brake light is always on.
« Reply #13 on: March 17, 2011, 09:08:08 AM »
I did have my brake light coming on when I was making left turns.  It was due to fluid loss from a rear wheel cylinder leak
02 ZR2 K&N filter driving lights in bumper body colored coil covers. Jeff's 2 inch spacer lift.