91 240 Wagon - Brake lights always on

[reverendshotgun]

Weird problem. Upon depressing the brake pedal, the brake lights
(left, right and center) go on as they should but they stay on. Turn
the car off and the lights stay off until the brakes are applied. The
indicator light on the dash also goes on and stays on. The rear
defroster light also goes on and stays on once the brakes are
applied. No fuses out, all bulb seems ok. Havn't changed anything
recently, problem just started out of no where.

I looked at the brake light switch and it doesn't apear to be stuck.

Any sugestions?

 

[Mike Lenker]

maybe check the wiring that goes through the hinges.. might be cracking and
shorting

I replaced the wires in both hinges on my '91, the old broken ones caused
all sorts of odd problems

 

[reverendshotgun]

Thanks.

I believe that might it. I pulled the fuse for the rear window
defroster (heater) and the brake lights function normally.
Unfortunately pulling that fuse also disabled the overdrive (4th gear)
so this is a very temporary solution.

Going to try to remove the hinges this weekend.