Honda Accord: Why Do My Brake Lights Stay On When Car is Off?

If your brake lights stay on even after your car is turned off, you might think it's a complicated electrical problem. But it doesn't have to be. Check out this guide to find out why.

By Jerry Perez - March 19, 2015

This article applies to the Honda Accord (1990-2002).

You always count on your brake lights to come on when you hit the brakes, but have you ever wondered what makes them turn off? If they stay on even after the car is turned off, then the fix is small and simple. So follow this step-by-step guide to keep your brake lights from staying on when the car is not turned on.

Materials Needed

Flashlight (optional)
Brake light pedal stopper pad
A meter long stick or pipe
Flat head screwdriver

Step 1 – Check the floorboard

Sometimes, as the brake light pedal stopper pad wears out, it can crack and fall apart. A missing stopper pad is most likely the reason why your brake lights stay on when the car is turned off.

Check for pieces of the broken stopper pad on the floorboard of the driver's side foot well. Refer to Figure 2 for an example of what a broken stopper might look like. Use a flashlight if necessary.

Figure 1. New brake pedal stopper pad.
Figure 2. Broken brake pedal stopper pad.
Figure 3. Location of an intact pedal stopper pad.

Step 2 – Hold down the brake pedal

Slide the driver's seat as far back as it will go. With a meter long stick or pipe, press down on the brake pedal and hold it in place against the chair. You will need to keep the pedal depressed as you replace the stopper. Point the flashlight upward to the area beneath the dash.

Figure 4. Use a brake hold lever or stick to depress and hold the brake pedal.

Pro Tip

Your local auto parts store should have a brake "hold lever," which is commonly used for bleeding brakes.

Step 3 – Replace pedal stopper pad

Position yourself on the floorboard, so you have a clear view of the brake pedal assembly. At the very top of the pedal, you should see the point of the brake light switch pointed towards a vacant hole. Use a flat head screwdriver to push against the switch. Then with the circular, flat end of the pedal stopper pad facing the switch, snap it into place. Release the brake light switch.

Release the brake pedal, and confirm that the lights do not stay on when your car is turned off.