My Mrs woke me up at 6am this morning to inform me that the brake lights (both high level and normal) were on on the Octy.

they definitely were not on when I locked her up last night as I had to nip out for 5 mins and would have noticed.

So, after reading up on the forum I think it may be one of 2 things:

Brake Light Switch - had this play up around 2 months ago where I had no brake lights and no cruise control. A quick removal and clean and everything was peachy again - although I would have thought if this killed all the lights last time - how would it make them all stay on (i.e. the complete opposite) this time? Anyone?

Water in the electrics ; a few days ago it was freezing up here in Scotland and my rear wiper stopped squirting, but did so with a clunk. Sure enough, yesterday when I tried to wash the screen I had no water - so I removed the tailgate trime to find the rubber hose had come off the mounting with the motor. Plugged it back on and everything worked fine.

So, which is the most likely culprit? The brake light switch or water in the electrics?

I did manage to start it and take a quick spin round the block this morning but they were still on when I got back.

Didn't have time to investigate any further this morning as the Mrs had a hospital appointment we had to meet so today I am driving her Picasso (with daisy stickers and pink fluffy steering wheel cover - give me a toot if you see me :lol:).

Removed the fuse for the brake lights to preserve the battery as it was struggling to turn over this morning.

Water isn't as good a conductor as people think, so I'd be inclined to blame water only if things weren't working when they should, rather than were working when they shouldn't (if you follow) - so I reckon the switch is your culprit again. OTOH, you probably need to do something about the leak in fairly short order, so it might be worth doing that first on the off-chance that it sorts your brakelights as well...

brake lights on even with the ignition off? some dodgy earthing maybe?

I don't know off-hand about the Octy, but some cars don't have the brake lights through the ignition.

I'd agree that the most likely suspect is the brake light switch though.

My brake lights work with the ignition off. Although only when the brake pedal is pressed...

cheers guys - ap0gee, I have fixed the leak (stuck the wee pipe back on) and to be honest I thought it may be broken so only held the squirter for a second so not too much water got away :lol:

I think i'll plump for replacing the brake light switch for starters and take it from there!

From what Simon says, check the adjustment of the brake light switch is correct before replacing it.

My brake lights work with the ignition off. Although only when the brake pedal is pressed...

I think mine only work with the ignition on...... i'll check tomorrow morning!

When I moved my brake light switch slightly before replacing it last week all 3 lights were on without the ignition, may be worth checking the switch is located in the pedal properly, sits in like a bulb in a bulb holder.

I had a closer look tonight and it is definitely the brake light switch.

When I wiggled it the brake lights came on and went off.

Pulling the brake pedal up a bawhair also had the same effect.

So I am going to replace it tomorrow for peace of mind.

It has the following part no stamped on it (along with Audi and VW badges) 1J0 945 511D

is this the one to replace it with or is there a new and improved version?

Cheers,

Steven

is this the one to replace it with or is there a new and improved version?

Cheers,

Steven

Not sure if it has been replaced, but the problem lies with the design.

I took my switch fully apart and then packed it with CV grease, the reason they stick on or off is because the mechanism is plastic on plastic and after a whilst they dry out and stick, the grease solved this for me.

new switch purchased and fitted - problem solved!

The new design is quite different from the original.

new switch purchased and fitted - problem solved!

The new design is quite different from the original.

Apologies for bumping a very old thread, but found this thread while looking for info to replace my brake switch.

I've just replaced the same part no (1J0 945 511D - purple body) with 1C0 945 511A RDW (green body) which I purchased from a vw dealer. He informed me that that was the latest revision.

I did tell him it was for an octavia and quoted the origianl number, he said that had been superceded, but when he came to order the new one, he said that had been superceded (so i was 2 versions out of date if you see what i mean)

the brake lights should work with the ignition off. mine do!!

the brake switch is also a twist fit so if you un-twist the switch slightly you can turn the brake lights on. a way of checking the bulbs are ok without the use of a wall in the dark. lol

twist the switch in till it clicks. that should sort it.