Brake lights won't go off

[spoolinitup33]

What makes the brake lights come on? I know there's gotta be a switch on there somewhere but I didn't see it, but then again, I didn't look real hard. My friend picked up an '82 280zx turbo and the brake lights won't go off. Hmm.. The brake lights don't have a relay do they?

[zbane]

I would be willing to bet that the problem is not the relay. I had this problem myself, and found the cause to be a broken plastic plug on the brake pedal itself. Start at the pedal and go up. You will find a hole, perhaps with part of the plug still in it. This plug makes contact with the brake light switch. If it's missing, the switch remains in the out/open position.

[Jeff G 78]

zbane has it. You will fine crumbled plastic on the floor mat. Either buy a new plastic plug, or replace it with a bolt and nut. Mine has had a bolt and nut for years after the same thing happened.

[spoolinitup33]

Now would this plastic piece have been on the brake pedal? I felt up there and didn't feel anything up there.

[sblake01]

[Z Babe]

You can buy the plastic plug at a Nissan dealership for about $2.00.

[danielsheehan]

just tape a quarter to the hole at the switch, that should keep it from staying on when the break pedal is stationary.

[esmit208]

The plug is the best option though. It feels like a polyurethane bushing somewhat. It gets brittle over time and crumbles like a cookie left on the kitchen counter too long. But since the switch makes contact with it, it needs to be soft so it won't wear the switch prematurely. Plug is much cheaper than the switch.

[Jeff G 78]

Another Zombie thread?