After getting home from work I find out that my tail lights don't shut off when I turn off the lights. Key is out of the ignition and it still remains on. Brake lights aren't functioning also. Can anyone help with this problem?

 

Sounds like the brake lights are on, check the brake pedal. There is a switch that contacts the pedal up under the dash when you take your foot off the brake and turns off the brake lights. There's supposed to be some kind of pad on the pedal arm where it contacts the switch, if that falls off, the switch lines up perfectly with a hole in the arm. I had the same problem on my '79, so I just made a sheetmetal clip and popped it onto the arm to push the switch, and the lights work fine now. You may even be able to just superglue or epoxy a old penny over the hole and it should work.

 

We just had a thread about this same problem a couple of weeks ago. The "Search" feature is there to help you...

https://www.zdriver.com/forums/280zx-s130-forums-77/brake-light-23869/

Anyway's... Yeah, it's your brake light switch as stated above.


Rod.

 

yup, i just did it two weeks ago..

 

You can do any of the solutions above and it will fix the problem. I had the same problem and just went to the dealer for the plastic part. You will be surprised at some of the parts you can still get for a 280ZX (we have several Z's), and I am amaized at what people sell new on eBay for high prices when you can still get it from the dealer. Have a great one.

 

Wow you guys replied quick. Yeah I just looked up the post with chinese kid and was gonna delete this one. But yeah, thanks for the help guys

 

From your dupe thread:

The ignition doesn't have anything to do w/ the prob... these are old cars. You can turn on all lights w/ no key. Is it ONLY the tail lights that stay on? Because all the side markers & tails are wired together... if the tails are on, so should be the side markers...

As discussed above, check the brake switch.

 

its just the tail lights left on. side markers go off.

 

it's the brake lights.

 

Did you fix it?

 

no not yet heh

 

This thread is like pulling teeth.

 

LOL!

Iielmosglueii, look in the driver's side floor board for little chunks of plastic. That's a sure sign that you need to replace the little spacer. They tend to break after several years, and without it, your brake pedal is making contact with the brake switch, which causes the tail lights to stay on.

The only equipment you will need to replace it is the new spacer itself and a flashlight.

 

Just for info, I was able to get the plastic plugs at the dealer. If you can't get it just cut a small piece of sheet metal, fold then clip over the hole on the peddle bracket as that will work also.

 

i used a nut and tape sometimes it falls off but i just fix it. hah. thanks for the info though!

 

i had the same problem with my 82 zxt 2 of the plastic rubber peaces craked off the bake pedtal located underneath the dash were the petal meets the metal. u will have to get low with a flash light and get the replacment parts thank god i had a few 280zx's parts left in my shead...

 

Whoa! is that really how you fix the problem?

I never would have guessed that from reading the thread already...