brake lights

[benstuh]

okay so recently my third brake light is staying on all the time when i turn on my lights
did a little searching and possibly could be brake light switch??
i already changed ignition switch and checked all the fuses.

[Kelso]

yeah most likely the switch. There's been a recall on that for the MKIV's. Yours might just have taken a dump and its ready to be replaced.

[KooK]

Why would a brake light switch keep the 3rd brake light on only? I guess I don't know these newer wiring harnesses but it would make sense to me that there are only two wires going to the brake light switch thus decreasing chance for something to go wrong in the switch by decreasing the complexity. All you need for three brake lights is one solid wire splitting off into three sections.

[OrangeDUB]

Check with the dealership if they have done the recall on it yet. They have the records on all the VIN#'s with recall info if it's been done or not at and vw dealership.

[BoostedR36MK3]

I am with kook on this one. I dont think the switch would cause just the third light to stay on.

[benstuh]

I am with kook on this one. I dont think the switch would cause just the third light to stay on.

hmm
what would be the problem then??

[BROBS]

a short somewhere..

how clean do the bulb trays back there look?

if you pull up the trunk carpet can you see any grounds? (perhaps along the driver's side?)

[BoostedR36MK3]

I would assume a short as well. According to the bently that lights power lead is off the right brake light and grounded on the right tail light holder. The main lead is a black wire with red stripe off the right light and turns to a grey wire behind the right gromment. The ground is a grey wire from the high mount light and turns to a brown wire behind the right gromment.