Q: We have a 2005 Jetta and brake light stays on even when car is off. The light goes off if we pull up on the pedal.

asked by on September 11, 2017

We have a 2005 Jetta and brake light stays on even when car is off which drains the battery. The light goes off if we pull up on the pedal.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Brake Light Switch Replacement $105.34 - $195.67 Get a Quote

It sounds like you may have a faulty brake light switch circuit which controls a number of things in the vehicle. This switch indicates when the brake pedal is pushed and triggers the brake lights to come on. In addition, this switch also allows the cruise control to be disabled when pressed as well. When this switch fails or has a poor connection, this can cause the brake lights to remain on or in some cases not work at all. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic to come to your location and diagnose and inspect the vehicle.

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

Brakes randomly locking up.
Hi there. Your ABS system should keep the brake from locking up if it is working properly. With that being said, you may get different wheels braking at different times if the ABS unit sees the need to cycle the...
2 coil packs not working
You only need to replace the two bad ones, but be prepared to replace one or more in the near future. The coils are all the same age and all have the same amount of use and seem to fail...
My car doesn't shift into 4th gear right but when it's in it runs great what's wrong
With new shifter bushings, it is possible that you need to adjust the shifter linkage. It is also possible that a synchronizer within the transmission is going bad. It basically spins the gears up to the proper speed for easy...
Hazard lights don't work
Hello there, thank you for asking about your 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais. There can be an issue with the switch itself or the hazard flasher assembly. The flasher is the device that makes the lights blink and a failure here...
Speedometer not working.
The speed sensor itself does not have a gear permanently attached to it. The driven gear as it is known, should be already installed in the transmission. There is most likely a single slot that engages with the top of...
Semi-soft brakes - 2009 Mercury Milan
Hello there, many faults will cause your 2009 Mercury Milan to have soft brakes. The most common causes of soft brakes are air in the brake fluid, master cylinder failure (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-master-cylinder-replacement), brake fluid leaks (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-fluid-is-leaking-inspection), or a faulty brake booster...
I have bought new battery for car but in morning time not starting. Car will start after pushing it.
Hi there. If you recently replaced your battery, but the vehicle won't start unless you "bump start", it's possible that your battery cables are damaged. Once the motor starts, power to all components is supplied by the alternator. I'd have...
vehicle violently shakes when you first start driving then smooths out after 5-10 miles down the road.
Hi there. It seems that the wheel bearings are most likely to be your issue. Even though the wheel bearing seems to be in good shape, it could be dry of grease. Suspension parts and the carrier bearing will not...
When I try to take off the engine felt like it wanted to fall out and violently shook until the car slowed down.
Most likely the engine has a plugged fuel filter. A plugged fuel filter will cause the engine to hesitate when under harsh throttle and make the vehicle shake. I recommend replacing the fuel filter and retesting to see if the...

Related articles

A Buyer's Guide to the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
Although Although it may be one of the most recognizable cars on the road, thanks to its unique design, perhaps you’ve never considered owning a Volkswagen Beetle before. There are a number of reasons the 2012 model should have you...
How to Get Volkswagen Dealership Certified
Volkswagen car dealerships offer automotive technician jobs to mechanics who are certified through ASE and specialized Volkswagen programs.
Understanding the Volkswagen Oil Monitoring System and Lights
Car symbols, or dashboard lights, are a car service reminder. The Volkswagen oil monitoring system indicates when and what service your car needs.