Brake lights coming on by themselves?

[Downunder]

Hello from Australia,

I hope someone there may have an idea of what my problem may be.
I have a 2003 7.3 L F250 and I have a problem with brake lights.

The other day my wife looked through the window and said I think the brake or park lights on your truck are on. I went out and sure enough the two back brake lights and the centre high up brake light on the cab were on. I double checked to make sure it was the brake lights and not the park lights.

I depressed the brake pedal a few times thinking the brake light switch may have stuck on but this made no difference. I did notice however that there was no "click" when depressing the pedal, a sign I understand identifies that the switch is working is this correct? I removed the 2 wire electrical socket that connects to the switch on the brake pedal but this made no difference as the lights were still on.

I pulled the fuse (under dash fuse panel) identified in the manual (number 13,20A) identified as Stop Lamps, Centre High-Mount Stop Lamp, Trailer Tow Stop Lamp, Cruise Control but this made no difference which was a huge surprise. In the end so I didn't flatten the battery I removed the globes.

Anybody have any idea what the problem might be?

Regards,
Bill

[Josh99]

Happened to me before, my trailer brake box had be bumped and it turned them on. Go check that if you have one.

[Zaairman]

Could be a bad brake light switch (it's mounted on the brake pedal). Or it could just need adjusting, I kicked mine before and the brake lights wouldn't come on til after I adjusted it.

[enoyes12]

I'm with Josh on this check the trailer connector even if you don't have a brake actuator. Something may have shorted. Do have an alarm with auto start? Something there may have gone wrong since it will deactivate if you step on the brake.

[Reg Bichel]

G'day Bill,

I do recall reading some time ago that this was a big spooky problem with a model of brake controller manufactured by the mob that produces the Prodigy Brake Controllers (can't recall their name -- Teshonka -- or sumthun like that). IIRC this didn't start to happen until some time after one was fitted and it had the effect of bringing on the brake lights. It was a recognised fault in the controller and nothing to do with the wiring set-up. The Prodigy models do not display this weird behavior, it's the lower spec model IIRC.
So if you've got one of these controllers fitted. Just disconnet it for a while and see if the lights continue to come on. If they don't re-connect and again observe.
I maybe barkin' up the wrong tree, but it's worth a thought.

Cheers,
Reg.

[Downunder]

Thanks to all who replied to my post.

One of my suspicions was that there may be a problem with the Prodigy brake controller as there was not much else I hadn't looked at so I will have to check that out.

The brake unit is about 7 years old and even though faults with the Prodigy model have not been as well know as the cheaper Voyager model it is certainly looking possible. Perhaps it's reached its use by date.

I will advise of the outcome when I have had a chance to have a look.

Cheers for now,
Bill

[Downunder]

Just to let everyone know that I disconnected the trailer brake controller and the brake lights no longer come on. Looks like the control unit is faulty.

I have ordered one of the new Tekonsha P3 units so I will see how that goes.

Once again thanks to everyone for your assistance.

Best Regards,
Bill