Possible fault - brake lights stay on

[lightwave]

Is there anybody technical that might be able to help?

A friend has a Mini Cooper (05 plate). I noticed the other day when she'd parked and locked her car with the remote central locking that her brake lights were still on.

My first thought was a sticky brake pedal switch (too easy). But when she came back and unlocked the car to check things the indicators flashed and the brake lights went out.

I wasn't imagining things, the lights were on for a few minutes, so it wasn't a coincidence that they went off when she pressed the button. She doesn't have anything else electrical installed in the car (non-factory) that could be interfering but when I saw it clearly wasn't the brake pedal switch my next thought was ECU.

Does anyone else have an assessment, or has anyone else had this problem or seen it before?

She tells me this isn't the first time she's returned to her car and the brake lights have been on. The car's still in warranty so I expect she'll take it to the dealer and have them diagnose it.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

[CBCooper]

Anyway dont be too alarmed, this is quite a common fault, happened on mine and a friends car ,exactly the same thing, brake lights stuck on, also had the windows coming down and something else i cant remember right now!. Just take it back to the dealer and they will replace the faulty part, its an 05 plate and still under warranty.
CB

[lightwave]

Thanks for the reply and allaying my fears. Sounds like a simple fix.

Cheers!

[AKIndiMini]

Sorry for bringing an old post back from the dead, but does anyone know what causes this?

I've had a problem lately with my battery going flat after the car sits for a week or so ('04 MCS) and tonight I noticed that the 3rd brake light is glowing dimly. Nothing short of unplugging the battery will work for killing the light.

I've already checked the brake light switch, as well as the body grounds in the access panels in the boot.

I'm nowhere near a dealer, so I'll have to try to get this sorted on my own. Thanks in advance for the help!

[gn240z]

i'm having this problem? did it ever get resolved?

[Car Clinic]

Happened to ours - brake light switch faulty x

[gn240z]

the brake lights seem to act normal, only when i take the key out do they stay on. i'll change it out and see what i get.

[AKIndiMini]

The problem with mine - the BCM (body control module) located in the kick panel behind the bonnet release was getting wet.

I removed the BCM and let it dry out for about a week. Everything was normal when I plugged it back in.

I've been chasing down numerous water leaks in my car. The culprit - leaky windshield and a-pillar covers.