'90 Accord-brake lamp indicator

1990 Honda Accord 4 door. Canadian edition (DLR.,etc.). Recently the dash
indicator for "Brake Lamp" has been illuminating constantly (was
intermittant for a short time). All brake lamps seem to be operating
properly, including HighMount, however indicator is lit whenever vehicle is
in motion.(i.e. no park brake). Anyone have any suggestions as to the
cause/reason? Anyone have a wiring diagram as to how this magic all takes
place? Anyone with a suggestion other than remove dash indicator lamp? I
know you guys are really sharp on these things and my daughter will really
appreciate not having to look at that little red lamp all the time. Thankyou
to each and all of you who have taken the time to read this post and give it
your consideration. I hope we will come up with a solution before I have to
take it to the dealership for a $100+ dollar fix. Looking forward to your
reply and thanks again......bob

 

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When it was flashing before, did adding brake fluid to the reservoir
make it go out?

1-800-782-4356 is the toll-free phone number in North america to order
an Owner's manual.

'Curly'

 

Check your brake fluid level in the master cylinder, also the low level is
probably the result of a leaking wheel cylinder, very common at this age.

 

This is NOT the indicator for the "BRAKES" it is an information display that
says ' brake LAMP ' (along with door/trunk open, etc.) .Thanks for the
replies...bob

 

I am having the same problem with my son's '92 Accord. In the past
when that light on the dash was illuminated, there was a burned out
tail light.

I have looked at a Chilton '90 - '92 Accord wiring diagram and it does
not show a brake fluid switch in the Brake light failure circuit but
Auto wiring diagrams often leave things out.

I was unable to find a brake fluid level switch anywhere else in the
wiring diagrams.

I hope someone comes up with an answer so I can fix our Honda.

 

I don't have specific experience with that model Honda, but on the later
'90s models, the low fluid switch is built into the master cylinder cover.
If yours has a two wire connector coming out of the lid and a shaft
descending down from it into the fluid reservoir, with a float that slides
on the shaft, that is the switch. BUT - it lights the parking brake light
"brake", not the "brake lamp" light.

The "brake lamp" light only means bulbs in the back. If the bulbs are good
and the light is on anyway, then there is a problem with the wiring (check
the grounds in the trunk & coming off the taillights ) or with the
controller that turns on that light. I believe it is located somewhere in
the trunk.

 

Same problem here but ignored it. Brake lamp warning disappeared... so with
the seatbelt warning :-(

I am starting to believe that some wires are shot or shorted.

 

I believe they measure a difference in resistance. Try changing out both
brake light bulbs.

 

Let me know if you come with a solution. I have the same problem. the wife's
driving me nuts reporting it every time it comeson. every thing appears
normal. Fluid, lights and it comes on at odd times, ie not even the brake
being touched.
These things arent RF sensitive are they?

 

Did you actually check that the center stop light is working, I had this
same problem a few years ago, check the connector behind the plastic door
for the right side tail lights in the trunk. There are 7 -8 wires in this
connector and possibly one of them is loose from what I remember.

 

According to the wiring diagram there is no measuring of resistance
differences. The test is only that the resistance of each circuit is low
enough that there is sufficient current to pull a relay. Also, from the
same wiring diagram, it looks like the high mounted brake light is not
monitored at all.

I do not know what the threshold current is for the relays. I believe
the '90 Accord uses a dual filament bulb (#2057) for the tail / stop
light. If it were possible to jam this bulb in reversed, you would get 7
Watt stop lights and 27 Watt tail lights. This would mean that the
current seen by the monitoring circuit is only about 1/4 of what it
should be, and this may be low enough that the monitoring circuit trips
the brake bulb alarm. Check if all tail lights work, and that all brake
lights are noticeably brighter than the tail lights.

A second possible problem is a missing ground in one of the tail lights.
With tail lights off, the brake lights would work but be very dim. With
tail lights on, the tail lights would have close to normal brightness,
and stepping on the brakes would cause the tail lights to turn off and
brake lights to not work. In this condition too, the current will be
much lower than normal, and the monitor circuit may detect the situation
as a broken brake light.

 

Will try the wiring plug (as you mentioned) first. Then the earth
connections.
Its funny though that the lights come on at any point in time.
All I have to do then is work out why the auto is slurring its
gear change from start, especially under load, but not if its accellerating
hard.