Nissan Repair: 1995 Nissan Altima Brake lights come on with headlights, nissan altima, light fuse

Question
QUESTION: 1995 Nissan Altima Brake lights come on with headlights.

The brake lights work fine with the headlights off.

When I turn the headlights on the brakelights come on. They do get a bit brighter when I depress the brake pedal.

could it be a short or a bad bulb?


ANSWER: Hi Seth -

Looks like a short in the headlight switch on the steering column. Replace that and you should be good to go.

If you need directions on replacement, let me know -

Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: calvin

I replaced the headlight switch on column. no luck.

I also notice that the dash lights come on when i depress the brake pedal (the same as before I replaced the switch).

The brakelights still come on when I turn on the headlights.

aloha
Seth




ANSWER: Hi Seth -

Hmmm. interesting.
There has to be a short somewhere, usually it is in the switch.
Try this test - remove the fuse for the brake lights and tell me if the dash lights come on. Then remove the instrument panel fuse and tell me if the system works normally.

Thanks and aloha!
calvin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: calvin

i tried what i could, but believe it or not there is no instrument panel fuse. The brakelights still come on when i turn on the headlights even with the stop light fuse pulled.

BUT, i think i found what was wrong. I disconnected the right rear taillight and the system appears to work fine. no dash lights when i hit the brakes. Some of the plastic was melted where the bulbs mount inside the assembly and the system checked ok when I installed the left rear assembly on the right.

I am going to find a used right rear taillight housing. I have a good used nissan parts guy out in missouri that i bought some other parts from.

I just need to keep her running for another 18 months. She has 240,000+ miles, leaks a bit of oil but runs like a top. You have got to love Nissan.

I will let you know how it goes when I get a new taillight assembly.

Mahalo,

Seth  

Answer
Hi Seth -

Thanks for the update. Yes, I think you are right. I knew there was a short somewhere, usually it is in the switch because the wires are so close. Looks like it fused together in the taillight assembly.

Let me know how it goes -

aloha
calvin