Why do my brake lights stay on after I replaced the battery?

The most common reason is a missing or broken brake pedal stopper, also called a stop pad. When the pad falls out, the brake light switch does not get pressed, so the car thinks your foot is on the pedal and the lights stay on.

What is a brake pedal stopper or stop pad?

It is a small plastic pad that sits in a hole on the brake pedal arm and contacts the brake light switch when your foot is off the pedal. Its job is to keep the switch closed so the lights turn off.

How can I check if the brake pedal stopper is missing?

Look up under the dash at the top of the brake pedal arm. You should see a small pad where the switch touches the pedal. If there is an empty hole or plastic crumbs on the floor mat, the stopper is missing.

Is there a quick temporary fix to turn the lights off?

You can cover the hole with a few layers of duct tape so the switch is pressed again. This is a short-term fix to prevent draining the battery until the proper part is installed.

What is the proper repair for a missing brake pedal stopper?

Install a new stopper pad, many cost about $10 to $15 such as Dorman 74015 for many models. Some owners install a small bolt and locknut with thread locker for a permanent solution.

Could it be something other than the stopper?

Yes. Other causes include a failed brake light switch, a stuck brake light relay, or a wiring short, especially on vehicles with trailer wiring or aftermarket lights.

Will brake lights that stay on drain my new battery?

Yes. Brake lights that stay on can drain a battery quickly. If you cannot repair it today, you can pull the brake light fuse overnight, but reinstall it before driving so you have working brake lights.

Is it safe to drive when my brake lights are stuck on?

It is not recommended. Constant lights can confuse drivers behind you and you risk a dead battery. Fix the stopper or have the system inspected as soon as possible.

How much does this repair usually cost?

Parts are inexpensive, often $10 to $15 for the stopper pad. Labor is usually quick. Costs can be higher if the switch, relay, or wiring needs work.

Can S&S Auto & Diesel fix my brake lights that will not turn off?

Yes. We inspect the stopper and switch, replace the pad or install a permanent repair, and check the relay and wiring if needed. Visit S&S Auto & Diesel, 205 NE 22nd Ave, Mineral Wells, TX, or call (940) 325-1221.

My Battery Died, I Replaced It — and Now the Brake Lights Won’t Turn Off

Kasi Drummer
Aug 11
3 min read

Ever fix one thing on your car, only to have something else pop up right after?

Happens all the time.

I had a teen about to go to school come in last week, said his battery had died, so he put in a new one. Car started up fine, but then he noticed his brake lights wouldn’t shut off. Even with the car turned off, those lights weren't turning off.

He asked, “Did I do something wrong when I swapped the battery?”

I smiled and told him, “Nope. This kind of stuff happens all the time.”

Why Your Brake Lights Stay On After Replacing a Battery

Most of the time, this comes down to one small, forgotten part: the brake pedal stopper, also called the brake pedal stop pad.

Think of it like this, at the top of your brake pedal arm, there’s a little plastic button. When your foot is off the brake, that button pushes on the brake light switch, telling your car, “Lights off, we’re not braking.”

But over time, that plastic gets brittle. One day it cracks, crumbles, or just falls out completely. Now you’ve got an empty hole where that button used to be, so the brake light switch never gets pushed in. The car thinks your foot is always pressing the brake, so the brake lights stay on all the time.

How to Tell if the Brake Pedal Stopper Is the Problem

Here’s how I tell folks to check it:

Get down on the driver’s side floor and look up under the dash.
Find the top of the brake pedal arm.
If you see a hole with nothing in it, or bits of broken plastic on your floor mat — that’s your problem right there.

Sometimes you can even pull up on the brake pedal with your hand. If the lights go out, you’re just missing that little stopper.

Can You Fix a brake pedal stopper Yourself?

Sure can, and it’s a cheap one.

Quick temporary fix: Cover the hole with a few layers of duct tape. It’s not pretty, but it’ll push that switch in and turn the lights off for a few days.
Permanent fix: Get yourself a new stopper (Dorman #74015 fits a lot of cars). Costs about $10–$15. Pop it in the hole, and you’re good to go. DIY Guys have a great video on how to do this on a Honda S2000 but you can look up your vehicle + how to replace your brake pedal stopper into YouTube.

Could your brake light being on all the time be something else?

Yep, and it’s worth mentioning so you don’t go chasing the wrong thing.

Other possible causes of brake lights staying on include:

Brake light switch failure – The switch itself can go bad.
Stuck brake light relay – Keeps sending power to the lights even when it shouldn’t.
Wiring short – Especially if you’ve got trailer wiring or aftermarket lights installed.

That’s why, if you’re not sure, it’s worth having someone look at it.

Why does a broken brake pedal stopper break after a Battery Swap

Replacing your battery doesn’t break that plastic stopper. It’s probably been cracked for months. But when you change the battery, you’re paying attention to how the car behaves, and that’s when you notice the lights are glowing when they shouldn’t be.

Don’t let a broken brake pedal stopper drain your brand-new battery

Those lights will run your new battery down in no time if they stay on 24/7.If you can’t fix it right away, pull the brake light fuse overnight. Just remember to put it back in before driving — no brake lights means nobody behind you knows you’re stopping.

Need Help Fixing Your Brake Pedal Stopper? We’ve Fixed This a Hundred Times

If you’re in Mineral Wells or nearby and your brake lights won’t turn off after a battery replacement, we can get it sorted out quick. We’ll:

Inspect the brake pedal stopper and switch
Replace the stopper or do a permanent repair
Check the wiring and relay if needed
Make sure your lights are working before you head out

Call S&S Auto & Diesel at (940) 325-1221 or swing by 205 NE 22nd Ave, Mineral Wells, TX.

We’ll keep that battery charged and those brake lights working like they should.