☰
GET A QUOTE

Q: Brake light switch continuously fails

asked by on October 30, 2016

My brake light switch has failed more than five times in the past few months. It always seems to fail when the car is parked in the driveway and it is raining but not every time it rains. There seems to be no apparent correlation between switch longevity and weather patterns. I hit a deer over a year ago and replaced the front clip myself but had no issue for about a year. I have been all over looking for shorted wires and have been unsuccessful. Help please!

My car has 136000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Recommended Services

Brake light is not working Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote
Or For Any Other Auto Repairs Get a Quote

Hello. You may want to check the connections at the terminal as it is not uncommon for these to get very hot and melt the plastic inside and corrode. This may also be a rusty ground which can also cause the switch to short out when too much power is drawn. If you need some extra guidance by an expert, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose your brake light problem and move forward with the appropriate repairs.

Toyota
electrical wiring
RAV4
2009
Brake Lights
L4-2.5L
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I manually recline the front seats?
The manual reclining lever is located on the outside of the driver and passenger seats. To recline, pull the lever upward, and lean backwards until the seat is in your desired setting. To return the seat upright, pull the lever...
Read more
Key won't turn
If your key will not turn in the ignition, then it may be time for a new ignition lock cylinder. As this often requires disassembly of the steering column and even the need for a new key, I would recommend...
Read more
smog test incomplete.
If your Check Engine Light is not illuminated, there is not a fault with the system. Before a vehicle can pass emissions testing, certain readiness monitors must be completed. One of which is the heater O2 monitor. The vehicle will...
Read more
My issue is my car will not shift properly. And accelerates slowly.
It sounds like the problem is in the transmission seals. They are either leaking or have a bad apply plate seal on one or more of the clutches inside the transmission. You should have the transmission scanned and pressure tested...
Read more
2007 Cadillac DTS - got new battery during summer. now battery won't stay charged. horn won't work. radio won't work at all.
Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle may be having a variety of issues. The best thing we can do without having the vehicle in front of us is give an educated guess. The symptoms you are describing do...
Read more
Sputters on start and high idle. Also sputters on acceleration.
Check the spark plugs and wires as they are not working properly. The spark plugs are not burning the fuel or the fuel injectors are leaking. A leaking fuel injector or failed spark plug or wire will cause the engine...
Read more
ESP stability control light is on.
Hi there. If the vehicle was jolted hard on the front end when the vehicle hit a pole, then the Electronic Stability Motor may have had a harsh force applied to it causing the motor to either fail or become...
Read more
Why would my check engine light continue to come on after replacing the EGR valve in my 2004 Chevrolet Impala
Hello. I would need to know which EGR code you are getting in order to be able to precisely tell you what may be going on. Most of the time if replacing the EGR valve does not solve the problem...
Read more
I hear a squeak (more like a constant chirp) is when the steering wheel is cranked all the way in either direction 2005 Hyundai Elantra
Hello. This is common because when the wheel is turned all of the way in one direction it puts the most pressure on the power steering pump. If the belt is good and tight then the pump is not bypassing...
Read more

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Rock Climber
If If you’re a rock climber, you want a vehicle that gets you where you need to go, even if the terrain gets rough. You may be living out of your vehicle at times, so you also want a rig...
Read more
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Alabama in 2012
2012 2012 was a great year in Alabama for auto manufacturing, but that wasn’t the only bright spot. Vehicle sales in Alabama were also robust in 2012. Nothing much changed in terms of the vehicle types that were most popular...
Read more
How to Start a Prius
The The Toyota Prius was a game changer when it was first introduced back in 2000. As one of the first commercially successful hybrid vehicles, it eventually helped launch an entire hybrid industry. The hybrid engine was not the only...
Read more

Browse other content

Estimates
Cities
Maintenance
Services