Thanks. My brake lights are on all the time. Even when I remove the key, lights still on. Strange. As you say, even if the switch is stuck, lights should still go out. I'm hopeless at electrics. Process of elimination I think.
Hi,
It depends where the feed comes from. If you think about it, your courtesy light comes on when you open the door and that's with no key in the ignition as well. Some circuits will be permanently live (feed for some modern radio's memory is another example). Without checking the diagram I can't remember if the brake lights are on a permanent circuit but even that doesn't preclude a previous owner getting the fuse box connections mixed up, does it ? This is a Lotus after all, the car loved by "tinkerers" world wide !
The brake switch is hydraulic and on my (UK) TC was also in the engine bay on the passenger side. The image shows the sort of thing you're looking for, there will be two wires going to it. If you disconnect a wire and the lights go out, you've got the answer ! Gently tapping with a Mk1 hammer might loosen it off but personally I'd just replace as they're cheap enough. They do come in different threads (imperial & metric) so you need to check it's the right part for your brake system.
The mechanical brake pedal switches were fitted to some Elans (I think the Sprints) and would no doubt be cheaper and have been fitted to the Europa but for the pedal arrangement being different.
Brian
