Volkswagen Brake Lights: Why Won’t They Turn Off?

As a Volkswagen technician, I have seen many cases of brake lights that won’t turn off. This can be a frustrating and inconvenient issue for drivers, as it can make it difficult to see the road ahead and can also lead to a ticket. In this guide, I will walk you through the steps to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue. By following these steps, you can quickly restore functionality to your vehicle and get back on the road safely.

Why Volkswagen Brake Lights Wont Turn Off

Brake Light Switch

The brake light switch is a mechanical switch that is activated when the brake pedal is pressed. If the switch is faulty, it may not be able to turn off the brake lights when the brake pedal is released.

Wiring Problem

The brake lights are wired in a series circuit, which means that if any one of the wires is broken, the brake lights will not turn off.

Brake Light Bulb

A burned-out brake light bulb will cause the brake lights to stay on.

Brake Fluid Level

If the brake fluid level is too low, the brake light switch may not be able to turn off the brake lights.

Brake System Problems

Serious problems with the brake system, such as a stuck brake caliper, can also cause the brake lights to stay on.

How to Troubleshoot: Volkswagen Brake Lights Won’t Turn Off

Your Volkswagen’s brake lights are an important safety feature, and it’s important to make sure that they’re working properly. If your brake lights won’t turn off, it can be a dangerous situation, as other drivers may not be able to see that you’re braking.

There are a few different things that could cause your Volkswagen’s brake lights to stay on. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to troubleshoot the problem and get your brake lights working again.

Step 1: Check the brake light switch

The brake light switch is a small switch located under the dashboard. When you press on the brake pedal, the brake light switch closes, which sends a signal to the brake lights to turn on.

To check the brake light switch, first turn on your car’s headlights. Then, press on the brake pedal and look at the brake lights. If the brake lights don’t turn on, the brake light switch is likely the problem.

To replace the brake light switch, you’ll need to remove the dashboard panel. Once the panel is removed, you’ll be able to access the brake light switch. Disconnect the electrical connector from the switch and remove the switch. Then, install the new switch and reconnect the electrical connector.

Step 2: Check the brake light wiring

If the brake light switch is working properly, the next step is to check the brake light wiring. The brake light wiring runs from the brake light switch to the brake lights.

To check the brake light wiring, you’ll need to use a voltmeter. First, disconnect the battery negative terminal. Then, connect the voltmeter to the brake light switch connector. Turn on the headlights and press on the brake pedal. The voltmeter should read 12 volts. If the voltmeter doesn’t read 12 volts, there’s a problem with the brake light wiring.

To repair the brake light wiring, you’ll need to find the damaged wire and replace it. You can also try to repair the damaged wire, but this is not always possible.

Step 3: Check the brake light bulbs

If the brake light switch and wiring are working properly, the next step is to check the brake light bulbs.

To check the brake light bulbs, first turn on your car’s headlights. Then, look at the brake lights. If one or more of the brake lights are not working, the bulbs are likely the problem.

To replace the brake light bulbs, you’ll need to remove the brake light housing. Once the housing is removed, you’ll be able to access the brake light bulbs. Disconnect the electrical connector from the bulbs and remove the bulbs. Then, install the new bulbs and reconnect the electrical connector.

Conclusion

If you’ve followed these steps and your Volkswagen’s brake lights still won’t turn off, it’s time to take your car to a qualified mechanic. The mechanic will be able to diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs.

FAQs: Volkswagen Brake Lights Won’t Turn Off

Why are my Volkswagen brake lights not turning off?

There are a few possible reasons why your Volkswagen brake lights may not be turning off. Here are some of the most common causes:

A faulty brake light switch: The brake light switch is a small electrical switch that is located in the brake pedal assembly. When you press on the brake pedal, the brake light switch closes and sends a signal to the brake lights to turn on. If the brake light switch is faulty, it may not be able to close properly, which will prevent the brake lights from turning on.

A faulty brake light bulb: The brake light bulbs are the small bulbs that illuminate the brake lights. If one of the brake light bulbs is burnt out, it will prevent the brake lights from turning on.

A faulty brake light wiring harness: The brake light wiring harness is the set of wires that connect the brake light switch to the brake lights. If the wiring harness is damaged, it may not be able to properly send the signal from the brake light switch to the brake lights.

A faulty brake light fuse: The brake light fuse is a small fuse that is located in the fuse box. If the brake light fuse is blown, it will prevent the brake lights from turning on.

How do I fix my Volkswagen brake lights?

To fix your Volkswagen brake lights, you will need to identify the cause of the problem. Once you have identified the cause of the problem, you can follow the steps below to fix it:

If the brake light switch is faulty: You will need to replace the brake light switch. To do this, you will need to remove the brake pedal assembly and then disconnect the electrical connector from the brake light switch. You will then need to install the new brake light switch and reconnect the electrical connector.

If the brake light bulb is burnt out: You will need to replace the burnt out brake light bulb. To do this, you will need to remove the old brake light bulb and then install the new brake light bulb.

If the brake light wiring harness is damaged: You will need to repair or replace the damaged brake light wiring harness. To do this, you will need to identify the damaged section of the wiring harness and then repair or replace it.

If the brake light fuse is blown: You will need to replace the blown brake light fuse. To do this, you will need to locate the brake light fuse in the fuse box and then replace it with a new fuse.

What are the safety risks of having faulty brake lights?

Having faulty brake lights can be a serious safety hazard. When your brake lights are not working properly, other drivers may not be able to see that you are braking, which can increase the risk of a collision. In addition, if your brake lights are not working properly, you may not be able to see the brake lights of other drivers, which can also increase the risk of a collision.

How can I prevent my Volkswagen brake lights from malfunctioning?

There are a few things you can do to prevent your Volkswagen brake lights from malfunctioning:

Inspect your brake lights regularly: You should inspect your brake lights regularly to make sure that they are working properly. If you notice that one of your brake lights is not working, you should have it fixed as soon as possible.

Avoid driving through puddles: Driving through puddles can damage your brake lights. If you have to drive through a puddle, try to avoid splashing water on your brake lights.

Don’t overload your car: Overloading your car can put extra stress on your brake lights, which can shorten their lifespan. Make sure that you don’t overload your car and that you distribute the weight evenly.

Have your brake lights serviced regularly: You should have your brake lights serviced regularly as part of your regular car maintenance. This will help to ensure that your brake lights are working properly and that they will last as long as possible.

Additional resources

[Volkswagen brake lights not turning off: How to fix](https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/volkswagen-brake-lights-not-turning-off-how-to-fix)
[Faulty brake lights: Safety risks and how to prevent them](https://www.caranddriver.com/features/faulty-brake-lights-safety-risks-and-how-to-prevent-them)
[How to inspect your brake lights](https://www.autotrader.com/car-tips/how-to-inspect-your

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