brake light short...

[Adam]

so just 2 days ago, i noticed when i pushed my brake pedal my dash lights all lit up, when the lights weren't on anyways... when the lights were on it wouldn't happen... so today i investigate, and my running lights also turn on when i brake... so i turned my lights on and checked my brake lights, and they are constantly on when my headlights/running lights are on, they kind of dim for a millisecond when i initially push the pedal, but they don't dim when i have the brake off... so i'm guessing a wire is crossed somewhere? any immediate places you guys can think of to check? i also hear the relay working when i push the pedal, but i can't actually figure out which/where the relay is... i had an accident a couple of weeks ago, crunched my front right fender, knocked off the running light on the drivers side, ripped the light socket right off the wire, i'm gonna check that wire to see if its ripped anywhere, but i figured i'd post on here and see if anyone had any suggestions... i already checked in the back in the taillight access panel, everything is in order back there, but i'm not sure where the wires for the brakes go after the brake pedal... any help is much appreciated, you guys have come through every other time. this place rules.

[88pathoffroad]

Check all the wiring in the front where it was damaged first. Do you have any trailer wiring installed? Check that second if so.

[Adam]

Check all the wiring in the front where it was damaged first. Do you have any trailer wiring installed? Check that second if so.

i've checked both, the trailer wiring is all good, and the only thing i haven't done is unwrap all the wiring in the damaged area... maybe that should come next, i'll unwrap it and rewrap it tomorrow... figure i'll start unwrapping at the wire that got broken for the passenger side running light...

Edited March 1, 2007 by Adam

[Animal]

The brake lights are fed 12v from the switch through a G/Y (green/yellow) wire. You might try pulling the brake light fuse (10A) and turn you lights on. If the brake lights are on, meter (or probe) the G/Y wire. If there is 12V, remove the 2 or 3 brake light bulbs. If there is still 12V, follow the G/Y wire and unplug connectors.

[5523Pathfinder]

Remove some bulbs. I would start with where your accident took damage. It sounds like something is getting power when its not supposed to, possibly backfeeding through the ground. Removing bulbs will isolate the circuits and you can trace from there. Also make sure there is not a incorrect bulb installed creating this havoc.