So I have a1999 for escort se. The high end model of the is such a thing. There's a switch for my brake lights, ON TOP of my brake pedal arm. It has A rubber disc that is glued between the brake arm and this brake light switch and the rubber stopper fell off so it makes my brake lights stay on with it without pedal or even with the car off and key out! What is the point of this thing?? Why is there a switch got my brake pedal going up??
It isn't glued on. There's a hole for it. It's called a bumper or a stop pad.
Ford sells them
or you can buy them in the "Help" aisle at the auto parts store. Just match up the hole size
When they disintegrate the switch's plunger goes into the hole instead of hitting the pad so the switch doesn't work and the brake lights stay on
Actually I quite a few Japanese cars are made that way too. It's basically so it's quieter so you don't have a switch hitting metal and it's rubber. Really stupid idea actually
But it turns the lights on when the brake pedal goes to far up! Not when it's down or depressed. I can get out of the car and shut it off and the brake lights are on it makes no sense! I don't ever pull my brake pedal up!
Simply adjust the switch so the brake lights are off with the pedal up or glue a rubber washer in place of the one that fell off. The circuit serving the brake lights is hot all the time.
You should be glad to have it, because it's there for a very good reason. It fails safe.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_man%27s_switch
A fail safe for what exactly? Why would I need my brake lights on when I'm out of the car and no longer pressing on the pedal? It's on the top off the brake arm
stuck on is safer than stuck off
The brake lights are not supposed to be on unless you're stepping on the brake pedal. What don't you understand? The fail safe is that the brake lights can be activated without the car running.
No what I'm saying is the switch is on top of the pedal arm. So if the rubber washer falls off which mine did, the brake pedal goes up higher and activates this switch that turns the brake lights on. Why? Is there any time that my brake lights should be on when I'm out of the car with the key off??
That's not how it works. When the brake pedal is depressed, the switch closes, making the connection and turning on the brake lights. When the pedal is up, the switch is supposed to be open and not turning on the brake lights. Because the rubber stop is missing, the switch is in the closed position turning the lights on. Replacing the rubber stop will allow the switch to open in the pedal up position and turn off the brake lights.
But why is this stupid switch there? I understand a switch for braking... But why the switch for the pedal going to far up? What purpose does that one serve??
I give up!
Q: How to fix a broken brake stop pad?
Mine fell apart too, after 20+ years. I just replaced it and called it a day.
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/where-in-the-brake-system-can-cause-battery-drain/#post-251481
I didn’t really question the logic of such a design. I was actually thankful the fix was less than $10 bucks and a little bit of car yoga and elbow grease.
Q: What’s the rationale for a brake stop pad?
Heck if I know for sure. But I can tell you this. I liken the engineering choice similar washing machines.
In a washing machine, you have the motor and the transmission, and the transmission is connected to the actual tub. But between the motor and transmission there is this rubber and plastic coupler:
This thing is engineered to protect your motor from burning out. If the load is too heavy, the plastic will break. It acts as a fail safe. And you are replacing $10 dollar part, instead of $$$ hundreds of dollars on a burned out motor. At the same time, while saving you from possible expensive repairs, it is made of rubber plastic, and wears out over time.
Likewise, with the brake stop pad, I conjecture a similar engineering rationale. It is designed as a fail safe. Perhaps protecting the switch itself from metal. At the same time, it is made of plastic:rubber, so will likely wear out over time.