Brake lights on all the time

[Little6pack]

I was driving my 86GN the other day & eve. While driving later at night I noticed in my mirror the 3rd bake light reflecting off the spoiler. (1st time I ever drove the car at night).
When it dawned on me during the daylight drive I noticed folks hanging way back from my rear. This explains why.

Anyway I pulled over got out & noticed all the lights were BRIGHT. I drove to my storage building & backed up to check the lights along the wall. When I pulled the pedal up they went off.

Being a newbie I tried to search the subject & noticed many posts about brakes.
What have I got myself into here? any help I would be thankful for info..

As for my brake light problem I noticed my pedal seems loose with 1/4 to 1/3 " play up toward the seat.
the brakes seem to work fine & no warning light has showed up..

Thanks in Advance..

 

[Red Regal T]

When you push your brake pedal it allows the button on the brakelight switch to extend out and activate your brake lites. Your brake pedal must not be making contact with the switch. Just reach under the dash and push the switch towards the pedal to make contact. Should fix your problem.

 

[Turbo Brian]

Just one thought. When the accumulator ball went out on the family turbo T, there was insufficient pressure in the accumulator to hold the brake pedal up. As the garage door came down, after parking in the dark garage, the brake lights being on became apparent. This might be your problem as well.

 

[Little6pack]

[Turbo Brian ]
[the accumulator ball ]

Where might the accumulator ball live? Under dash?

Can an accumulator ball be had through dealer, junk yard or parts store?

Can A backyard mechanic change it with ease?

L6S

 

[Little6pack]

[Red Regal T [/i]
. Your brake pedal must not be making contact with the switch. Just reach under the dash and push the switch towards the pedal to make contact. Should fix your problem. [/B][/QUOTE]

Thanks RRT
I will try that 1st... I had the same problem in my daily driver 1996 LS88 olds. I stuck a pennie on the the pedal contact & the lights went off..
Imagine Both my cars having the problem within the same week??
that is freaky!

I need a good manual on these cars.

 

[Turbo Brian]

The brake accumulator ball is on the side of the master cylinder. Assuming that you have already checked the easy stuff, i.e. brake switch, and have not had luck, this might be a possibility.

The correct replacement accumulator ball is a GM part with a yellow ring on the top. Runs about $75 depending upon the deal that you can get.

Takes about 5 minutes to change. Simply depress the brake pedal about 10 times to depressurize the ball, then unscrew it from its mount. Install the new ball, turn on the key until the brake light extinguishes, and you should have proper brake pressure and firm brake pedal.

 

[V6UnderPressure]

Same thing happened to mine a bit ago. Turned out to be a bad switch. So I went to the local pep boys and picked one up for I think 10 bucks or something. And get this! Its black as opposed to the original white one!

Scott