Cadillac DTS: Brake Lights Won't Turn Off!?

[@andrewcz8871]

Never hesitate to post simple repairs like this one. It'll probably help somebody down the road with a similar issue, and it's great to see that some things really come down to a quick 5-min fix (if one has the scan tool, at least). Also interesting to see how many data points the car is collecting just from the brake pedal.

[@johnbrown1809]

What ez repair...hardly ez ...who has a scanner..pretty much nobody...not a good comme t

[@bkschieler]

Man that smirk at the end when he says under his breath "....provided you've got a scan tool...". Laughed out loud...because I don't got one

[@lvsqcsl]

Eric, the last time you worked on one of those Cadillac DTSs you referred to them as "toilets." Well, you just repaired a toilet with no parts required! Great video!

[@williamgagnonroadboxservice]

Sunday night chilling with my ice cream cone and watching Eric what a great weekend

[@mattphelps191]

If only they were all that easy! Your parts cannon must be getting awfully dusty! Love the channel and seeing you do what you're great at, I've learned a lot

[@thomasfletcher4765]

Unless it turned to rust

[@mattphelps191]

@@thomasfletcher4765 likely

[@jwilkers1]

This video was exactly what I needed I got roped into fixing a car that I did not even work on and this kept me from making any mistakes thanks

[@borgsimpson935]

Man Eric, I learn more from your tutorial. Than all the theory at automotive class. Incredible. Kudos for the tutorials. Cheers 🍻

[@goodbyecalifornia3567]

Whatever happened to a simple and reliable brake light switch, like the one in my truck that has 269k on it and still working. As always Eric, you’re the best.

[@natepuckett4355]

it still amazes me to see all the different sensors and whatnot all over the cars these days. And your knowledge of everything is crazy too. and you crack me up all the time. thank you for all that. keep the good stuff coming

[@Cheepchipsable]

"These days"?. Car is 2008, so 14 years old. I have seen some cars where a spacer falls off where the switch for the brake light is, and the brake lights stay on.

[@moparbryan]

I believe there was a service bulletin that addressed the brake switch mount clip, it would lose tension and the switch would change position that was some time ago but sounds familiar

[@thesedanman723]

I’m interested in that TSB. I have a 2008 Cadillac DTS and the brake switch has been replaced although it still does this repetitive brake light on while driving. My mechanic is a mobile mechanic and he certainly can handle this but I have not mentioned anything of the sort. I may just take it to the dealership since it is a technical service bulletin. Would it be possibly under warranty?

[@VDPEFi]

A problem that should never exist, the brake lights on the 69 Lincoln outside work just fine haha. Nice one again Eric

[@TheJmich2001]

You just saved a buncha caddy owners a ton of trouble. Loved the "beep bop boop" tribute to VGG!

[@Michael_Turner]

This was cool to learn. I see people driving around with their break lights on, and I always wondered why the break lights are lit, even though the car is obviously not slowing. I always assumed that the person had their foot on the gas pedal in such a way that the break pedal was also being pressed; causing the break light to come on, but the car is still traveling the same speed, or even accelerating. That was always a weird phenomena to me, and this showed me that it's probably just an internal computer glitch.

[@joegustin7158]

Boy Miss The Old Days Thank God You Young Guys Got This

[@michaeloconnor3240]

Eric O I tried the Grillo pickles they are awesome. Thanks for hooking me on them!

[@nelsonnarciso1791]

Wow unbelievable that we have to relearn a brake switch. Well done buddy

[@fevengr9245]

I'm a retired engineer and never would have imagined that it worked that way. You are a genius!

[@michigansnowman1523]

hey mister oh I love you and miss miss o too ❤ I was a mechanic for 35 years. and now I can't work anymore 😪 but you keep me going so I not a loan anymore. love your videos and some day I would love to meet you. keep it up and be safe.

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

I worked as a consultant to GM back in 2005-2006. Was part of a team that was teaching them Kaizan process improvement, otherwise known as Lean Six Sigma It is where you take warranty data and start working backward to troubleshoot warranty repairs to make parts better so they don't fail. GM had the computers but the problems were around the electronics at that time, in addition to the parts. They had to go after the parts first, electronics second prioritizing around severity of the issues. It eventually worked as today their cars are better than they used to be but there are limits to what can be done. This is very interesting as it shows a fault over time as a part changed in operation.

[@jamesraum4221]

All I want to say is you mister o and rainman ray are the 2 best on diagnosis. It would be cool to see the 2 of you to do a diagnostic session together. I know that you guys are top of the East coast and top of the bottom of the East coast. But you two guys are the top guys and I would bring my vehicle to either one of you guys to fix my vehicle. I live in Maryland so it's tough to get to you guys. Please don't get mad that I mentioned someone else on your channel but I have heard Ray mention you and your shop and he holds high regard for you. You guys are the best and only people I look to to diagnose problems. Between you 2 I have become very comfortable using my diagnostic tools and your info to do jobs on my stuff. Thank you both for everything you do and offer everyone the opportunity to work on their own stuff. You Rock mister o !!!! Again thank you for being a real friend and a real person

[@scottjohnson4319]

"...providing you have a scan tool". Even if I had one I'd need to know how to use it and know how to interpret the numbers. This is why you fix them and I TRY to fix them. Nice work Mr. O.

[@abbasmohammed1306]

I am a big fan of your videos you post. never miss one. I consider you as my teacher. GOD bless you. I hope the longest and happiest life to you and your family, Abbas from Kurdistan Region of Iraq / KRI.

[@mbazzy123]

You are a pro Mr O. I like a fool I jumped in my mind to a grounding or shorting issue Etc. In the end all it took was to look at the data and then follow a diagnostic route. Nicely done I again learned something. Thank you !

[@thomasfletcher4765]

I actually thought it was the brake light switch .

[@DaveSomething]

I was about to sign off when you popped up! Caddy Thunder!

[@k4x4map46]

Awesome!! some mechanics would suggest changing the entire floor to rid of the ghost foot failure control assembly!

[@randybeard6040]

You and Ray are Da Men, must not leave out Scotty...

[@derekbridges1126]

HeybEric, your customer pays not what you do but knowing how to do it, great video.

[@gregbarnett3141]

Great video as always, Dr. O! Have run into that before and the only ones I never could fix permanently like that were the Malibu, G6, Aura, I believe they recalled the BCM for the issue pedal position sensor not staying calibrated.

[@richardbambenek2601]

We don't drive cars now we drive computers with wheels

[@justindasilva73]

Great video Eric. Me personally from experience I would have recommended replacing that bpps. I’ve had one come back before after a simple relearn and had to put a sensor in it to repair it. However that’s just my experience. Cheers!

[@fosholyfe6115]

So because your little relearn wasn't the issue and you had to spend ten minutes under the dash , you now think EVERY cars problem has now magically turned into the customer needs a part... Fire the parts cannon I guess... I'd personally appreciate the fact you tried the relearn first, before throwing money I don't have on parts. But it's not your money until your charging labor I guess

[@mikechiodetti4482]

This was so quick I almost missed the fix! Good one Mr. O!

[@csandy500]

Old Car. The rubber pedal return stop has failed causing the off position to change. Install new rubber stop button or re-learn. Re-learn is easier. Good job. Always enjoy watching you diagnose and repair.

[@jatco84]

Amazing, tho not, that a 2008 is an 'OLD' car. Damn!!. Good diagnosis Eric.and fix. Kudos..!

[@Yawwee]

WOW....this has got to be the shortest, fastest video on SMA I have ever seen !!!!!! It was informative and a cure for a problem, so I am not complaining. It helped this fellow. Put the word around Avoca and the rust belt, for something to fix that lasts as long as a coffee or a beer !!!! 😃😮😩 Job well done, Eric !!!!!!!!

[@mikemilburn7823]

What ever happened to to the, "push pedal closes switch, release pedal opens switch" why do you need all that extra electronic crap to control a light. Good video as always Eric...........Mike

[@allanmiller6569]

And this is why I like old 70's 80's and some 90's junkers. No fancy shmantzy electronic crap. Simpler days and simpler fixes. That said, nice job with the "simple" fix even though it needs a special scan tool.

[@donwilbanks2226]

Same thing happened to my '08 Saturn Sky. I cleaned the 2 large connectors with CRC electrical cleaner and applied dielectric grease. No more brake light malfunction.

[@TW-du7hb]

Easy Peezy! Another Eric O. Quick fix. I see Wes took your advice on the bacon fat ground into his venison. Great idea.

[@lloydweems6237]

Thanks for your educational/entertaining videos. I have wrenched on my own equipment for the last 50 years, but I am still learning. After seeing the scan tools in use, I finally broke down and bought me one. With 3 older cars at least, I won't be guessing and firing a parts cannon. I have also learned from you that the scanner isn't a magic box that tells you what's wrong. Thanks again watching you has improved my problem-solving skills.

[@DarkHorseCom]

Just takes a bit of logic and reasoning. That's why I watch :) Great video Eric! Keep 'em comin'

[@paulmcclain920]

Replaced a master cylinder on a '71 Ford pickup. The new cylinder did not raise the brake pedal quite high enough to turn the brake lights off. Took a nickle and glued it to the frame so the switch would close. Never would have guessed a computer problem.

[@3wheelmaniac]

Hey Eric. Long time viewer, "Mr. 1976 MI plate". I turned my son on to your channel. He's a DAV and a new Ford master mechanic. I continue to encourage him to become the best darn software/electrical tech he can be. Hopefully it will get him off a lot of heavy work and save his body for the long haul.

[@patrickmorrissey2271]

Nice! Ivan would be proud. Ahhh, the DTS.... Remember when it wasn't a Fleetwood replacement??? But the Fleetwood replacement was coming?? But then it never came?? And then the DTS/DeVille was discontinued???? Ahhh, good times.....

[@MrWolverine46]

Had a similar issue on a Buick Lucerne, old lady stopped by the shop complaining that ever since her husband changed out the pedal sensor that her cruise control would kick off every time she hit a bump on the highway. Like you I looked at data, re-learned the pedal and test drove. Lady was happy, but husband was upset that it just wasn’t a simple plug and play type part. So in a nut shell sensor wasn’t calibrated and every time she hit a bump it would register as brakes being applied and kick of the cruise control.

[@richard3141592638]

Ivan is shedding tears of joy right now!

[@muchristian]

I was on a plane once where the pilot said "we have a warning light on, don't think it is accurate, light is probably just broke, but we can't take off until we get a mechanic in here" I said to the person next to me "Lights that are broken, don't come on". He said "oh we better talk to the flight attendant!". Sometimes it just has to be a mechanic.

[@buckhorncortez]

I got on a 737 with another person who had about 10,000 hours flying a KC135 tanker. I looked at the plane's right engine and asked him what the streaks were on the engine nacelle. He said, "The front oil seal on the engine is leaking, but don't worry as long as the maintenance personnel make sure the oil reservoir is full it will just keep the bearings really clean. " Well, I can't tell you how much better that made me feel...

[@kellyherald1390]

@T.J. Kong Kind of like the Model T saying - If there's no oil under it there's no oil in it.

[@samholdsworth420]

@@kellyherald1390 funny cause I've heard that saying but it was Chevrolet "if there's no oil on it there's no oil in it"

[@JT-lq4yd]

That is my problem with flying, I don't know how well the previous services were done or if at all. And just hope the plane makes a controlled landing at the designated airport in one piece.

[@LAactor]

@@JT-lq4yd You mean controlled crashing. That's all landings are. You let the thing crash, gently. On all the wheels, and then try to stop.

[@ryansteve8739]

I keep wondering to myself if something such as a rubber stopper for the pedal or possibly even something within the switch may have slightly worn out over time, and that allowed the pedal to retract further than it normally would, causing the pedal to become un calibrated. I assume if for example the rubber stopper keeps wearing out over time it might become un calibrated again at some point. I also keep thinking about how near the end of the video right after the pedal was calibrated, it then went to -1, which means it did move up further by playing with it from the point at which it was calibrated

[@j.o.a.t9718]

I have always enjoyed your videos. Even the repetitive brake job. Learn something every time to keep in the vault. May not be able to retrieve it but it's there.

[@suttoncoldfield9318]

4:52 that's where I was going wrong, had a boop when I should have had a beep. Thanks Eric, all fixed now.

[@AC-gu7rg]

OK, now I'm receiving a message even before I start to leave a comment, it's either asking or telling me to watch my language, ect ! Well I've never used colorful language when leaving a comment on any of S.M.A's videos! My personal opinion , if some individuals, are doing just that than plain and simple ban them block them ! Again just my opinion ! But anyways great video Eric ! As always !

[@ghost37666]

I got an Autel six months ago and it was one of the best investments I've ever did.

[@milwaukeeroadjim9253]

I did a cabin air filter today. So easy, why pay a shop to change it. Learning a lot from your and others channels.

[@purplehaze8557]

Not so easy on a Smart Fortwo 450...

[@Pablo081]

It looks like the Re-Learn applies an offset value to the Learned Home Position. The Calculated BPP used to be -15 and the Learned Home Position used to be 191. After the Re-Learn, the Learned Home Position dropped to 176 (191-15=176). So when it reads 176 now, the Calculated BPP is 0 and the lights are off. Good job as always, Eric.

[@wino99999]

@pînned by South Main Auto Repair stop trolling to try to get someone to send you their account details!

[@konradhittner4668]

Some scan tools are worth more than others. Yours is always worth its cost, Eric. Thanks for this tutorial!

[@dulaneyp]

Since it went beyond zero after you hit the pedal, I would check under the dash to see if the sensor was tight or if any lose wires etc were holding the arm from returning fully home. Your fix is probably correct, but I was taught "what would you do next if this doesn't fix it?". 10 second scan under the dash to prevent a come back.

[@throttlebottle5906]

probably a worn or missing rubber bumper pad., letting the pedal move further back 🤓

[@davidgriffin14]

@@throttlebottle5906 Nissans are famous for that

[@jacktennant8426]

HEY! Knowledge is "KING" You go Eric!

[@realtruth716]

You are the most amazing tech i've every seen..I was supposed to get a gift for responding first to one of your videos, please give it to someone local who could use a hand...

[@dcbuzz]

Had a 2009 Aura, same issue. Calibrated bps several times only to have the issue return. One of the bcm connectors apparently suffered some fretting. Disconnected/reconnected a few times, added a little dielectric grease … problem resolved. There’s a tsb regarding this.

[@wilypitner7943]

Hi brake lights on my Mazda were also on all the time. Turned out being rubber pad on pedal had broken off. Glued back into place. All good.

[@huzudra]

I've had this on a couple other cars (Buick's and Chevy's), it's not bad to give it the benefit of doubt but often the pedal position sensor is starting to fail when this happens and you'll find that the problem comes back. On more worn Buick it needed a brake pedal assy because the pivot bushing was worn and the learned zero position was too variable to return to it each time it was released, it would either set the brake lights on or throw a traction system code for implausible pedal position.

[@Mr.Big33]

Thanks for the video, much appreciated indeed! However, my 2010 DTS Platinum's stop light would work normally and properly when the car is fully warmed up, say around 20 minutes of city driving. When the car is cold or cooled, the stop light would and will definitely be on automatically without pressing the brake pedal. Also, if I put my foot lightly on the brake pedal (so light that the stop light is not triggered), the stop light would not come up at all even when the car is cold as if everything is normal. But I move my foot away, it would be on again in seconds. Why is that? And what's your professional opinion on such a phenomenon? Malfunctioned sensor in the brake pedal assembly or simply the brake switch?! This is the oddest thing I have ever come across in vehicles. Thanks😅！

[@hotflashfoto]

I have one of those on my 2011 Malibu. I came up with my own circuit, stuck it in a box, and bypassed the BPPS for good. And now I can step on the brake pedal with the key off and still get brake lights, just like in the "old days".

[@jmcdonne]

Basically, to the body control module, Eric is Yoda: "You must unlearn what you have learned."

[@gunners4129]

Man do I wish you were here. Live an hr away and have been cleaning and testing connectors all day. Typically good at finding shorts but currently in an Eric O specialty scenario

[@steveb6103]

This is why I rebuilt a 1984 F 150 4x4. 300 straight 6, 5 speed manual transmission, shift lever for 4 wheel drive, and manual lockouts. Getting 23 mpg and it's not broken in yet. And the best part is no payments.

[@thomasfletcher4765]

Sounds like a cool old truck ( nothing like old school )

[@darkwing4475]

My dad had one of those engines and transmissions in a 1 ton flatbed truck,, It got 18 mpg and had almost as much power as a v8,, I loved driving it,, It had the optional AM radio,,, :-)

[@jerrygillette854]

Only an engineer could take a simple on/off switch to this level of complication. Thanks for the video, Eric.

[@LM-wq4fe]

It’s needed for more then just for brake lights these days. They need to know where it is in its travel and they also need to know how fast you are pushing it. These are used for things such as engine stop start, emergency panic braking, etc.

[@rjhambrecht4624]

Have to admit.. I would have totally thrown a switch or sensor at this. LOL. great job Eric

[@gromett]

Every day is a school day. Thanks Eric.

[@wino99999]

@pînned by South Main Auto Repair stop trying to scam people

[@robertmobileman8304]

Great fix , no parts or T pin required 🤜

[@MrGardman]

Great diagnosis and was cool to see no parts required.

[@carlbyington5185]

GENIE, We all love it when you come out of the bottle, and fix stuff ! (I said "OUT" of the bottle, not "ON" the bottle, LOL

[@OsakaBancho]

I had this really weird Idea, where like the brake lights are DIRECTLY connected to a 12v constant supply, but there's a switch attached to the brake pedal that when you're foot is off it, it cuts the power to the lights. Seems pretty ingenious, and it makes me wonder why no company has run with this idea yet. I also had this other idea where when you turn the knobs on your AC controls, instead of having the wait 20 seconds for the computer to process the information and hopefully respond accurately to your request, you could actually have a cable that is attached the the knob that pulls the blend doors about as you yank on them that will never break and not require the additional 47 parts to make it work.

[@DavidD-qr2vn]

But with the basic switch, the ABS module doesn't know how hard you are pushing the brake pedal (i.e. panic stop or not) and thus doesn't know when to activate. Similarly, without the brake pedal position, the Air bag module can't "anticipate" an impact and lock your seat belt reels, etc. (It all ties together and there are reasons behind why it is that way - and no, I'm not a systems engineer for a car company, but I do manufacturing automation engineering for a living.)

[@cutl00senc]

Apparently, you’ve never heard of planned obsolescence! Lol

[@OsakaBancho]

@@DavidD-qr2vn hear me out. brake position sensor... AND brake light switch. a little birdy told me they had abs way back in the 1980s, if anyone is even alive to remember that prehistoric age.

[@mannys9130]

@@OsakaBancho The overhead says "If you have a BPS, use it for 2 purposes and eliminate the light switch and the extra copper wires." 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@OsakaBancho]

@@DavidD-qr2vn not to mention abs is more to do with whether the wheels are spinning or not as opposed to how hard you hit the pedal

[@harveybrimer1054]

Providing you got a scan tool lol, thanks for the vids eric!! Love your content!!

[@SgtMajorJay]

Hey Eric! I am a software developer and wanted to give a guess as to why the lights turned on from the perspective of the computer. The 0 - 65535 range indicates that the values are represented by two bytes or 16 bits. When all the bits are off you get zero when they are all on you get 65535. With that range the computer cannot represent negative numbers so when the value goes under 0 the bits actually roll setting them back to the max value. But for some reason your scan tool is reporting that value as a negative but the computer sees that as 65535 not -5.

[@hubiecasteel7045]

I have learned a lot about recalibration of sensors from owning a dodge Caliber. Every time I turn around I am recalibrating something from gas pedal and throttle body to other stupid little sensors. It sucks too, because it don't always set off a engine light, but will set off the lightening bolt of doom light..

[@housewashing5693]

Back in my day lots of brake switches were held in position by a friction clip. We would push it all the way in and pull up on the brake pedal to reset it. I wonder if this switch got bumped and your scan tool simply compensated for it being physically out of position? Either way I love your channel.

[@schwinn434]

Very informative - as all ways! Wow, even more complication - than I thought possible.

[@spelunkerd]

The only people effectively fixing cars in ten years will have gained experience with these kind of simple repairs. That skill set will help with the transition to electric cars, there's good reason to keep up.

[@gregsidel3557]

I always learned something watching you. Thank you, thank you. Thank you😊

[@stationaryenginesworldwide]

cool fix Eric thank you...learn something new every day at south main Auto

[@GothRocker7]

Love seeing simple repairs like this, Eric Every time I watch your channel I learn something new. Love it.

[@johnaclark1]

I had this same failure on a 2010 Malibu. I did the same thing...relearned the BPP sensor. The car came back a couple days later with the same problem. Needed a new BPP sensor. There was also a safety recall notice on it for coating the connector pins at the BPP sensor with dielectric grease, as well as putting dielectric grease on the BCM connector for that circuit. On the Malibu it also set a C0131 in the EBCM.

[@dennisreaves3733]

0

[@mph5896]

I did the same on my mothers 2010 Malibu years ago. Strange how smearing dielectric grease all over some connectors inside a car would fix it. 🤨Glad that car is gone. Had plenty of GM problems with it.

[@ahill007ny]

If you own a GM product that 2006 and Newer, you should also own a Scan Tool with Bidirectional capabilities 😎 With the BPP Relearn Eric O just showed and the Fuel Composition he showed us in the past I say it's a must.

[@steveo6631]

You earned nice easy ones once in a while, my guy....

[@thereallevel27]

We had a similar fault on a Malibu, same vintage. The hydraulic pressure sensor was shorted out. Replaced that with a new GM EBCM and the problem returned. It spent 3 months at an electrical shop and still couldn't pin point the problem. It's a top notch shop for electrical problems and it's an integrated sensor. This one still keeps me up at night

[@arthurbolton8477]

i did one the other day, first time in 50yrs of spannering i repaired a car from the drivers seat by pressing buttons, love your work.

[@waynelutwiniak797]

I didn't build it, I didn't buy it, I didn't break it. Perfect outro👍

[@Thatdavemarsh]

“...provided you have a scan tool.” Nicely done.

[@michaelault3180]

I had a 2000 honda civic that had that problem. It was a plastic bumper on the pedal that depressed the switch that was broken and fell off. The brake lights drained the battery a couple of times before I even figured out that the brake lights were staying on. I came home driving another car at night and saw the brake lights on while it was parked. Easy fix once you know what the problem was.

[@GTCGreg]

You forgot to replace the O2 sensor in the heated seat.

[@brandonrhodes6320]

Wow easy fix but need a good scanner tool, nice video thanks for the info

[@lawrencesmith5294]

Impressive diagnosis

[@shermankearns200]

And oh BTW the Cruise control is on the same double pole switch which can cause you to go careening off of a major highway with your engine fighting you to floor the gas as you are trying to merge into heavy traffic on the BQE in rush hour. Ask me how I know.

[@rickconstant6106]

Whatever happened to the traditional on/off plunger switch? That's all most systems on the car need to know.

[@jacksprat8444]

Been watching you for a bit now and have gained a new awareness and respect for mechanics. Thanks for that, I no longer assume the worst first unless proven otherwise by a thorough "taking to the cleaners" for no other reason then good ole greed. So great to see you and your wife as a team working the shop! The way she looks at you Eric. You are truly blessed!

[@philmerrifield1163]

Gravy job! Seen this before on a vauxhall (all gmc at the end of the day) great video see you next time

[@johnpeltier1275]

If the safety pin was invented today It would have to be programed and serviced three time a year.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

The people who require everything to go through a digital switch, would probably strangle themselves tying their shoelaces. Just so you know I spent 40 years in IT. I know how reliable digital systems are and aren't

[@timsimmons9042]

Too funny! It’s been a heck of a stressful day today. Winding down before retiring and I see your comment. Thank you for the laugh out loud moment I needed. Stay safe all

[@conrailfan6277]

Snap On would sell it for a 100 bucks!!!

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

@@conrailfan6277 that would be introductory pricing.

[@conrailfan6277]

@@JohnRodriguesPhotographer 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@johnds6621]

On my 68 Dodge Dart the light stayed on when the switch on the bracket didn't line up correctly with the top of the brake pedal. That was a free fix too just a screw that needed tightening. No computer needed. LOL

[@stealthg35infiniti94]

Eric good fix. I wonder if the brake sensor is loose and changed position. If so, you may have a Come Back repair if it moves again.

[@freetolook3727]

We used to have that problem with RVs when working at a local dealership. Found out it was a simple adjustment of the brake light switch located at the brake pedal. Of course nowadays it's probably some $180 sensor or control board. Welcome to the 21st century!😂

[@jameskeeler6321]

Thanks for the uplifting video. And yes we feel like conquering warriors when it come to high end scan tools .