Brake Brake Lights Work Without Key In Ignition

pjr · 12th June 2008, 12:24

I've noticed this a few times when getting out of the car after parking up, and taking the keys out of the ignition.

If you press the brake pedal, the brake lights still work (presumably only for a certain period of time?) I've never seen this on any of my previous cars.

They work, even if the keys haven't been in the ignition. Last night I was wanting to take a photograph of my brake light mask that I got from Gers.

(photos here : http://www.civinfo.com/forum/194748-post116.html)

I unlocked the car, wedged a golf umbrella between the drivers seat and the brake pedal, to turn the brake lights on, and took my photos.
I thought the brake lights should only work when the ignition was on ?

gr021857 · 12th June 2008, 12:30

Just thinking from a safety point of view, would it not be incase you engine (not likely in a civ i know) cut out or you stalled maybe?

You'd still be able to show you were breaking regardless of igniton or engine running. Otherwise the car behind you may not notice you were slowing down.

pjr · 12th June 2008, 12:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr021857

Just thinking from a safety point of view, would it not be incase you engine (not likely in a civ i know) cut out or you stalled maybe?

You'd still be able to show you were breaking regardless of igniton or engine running. Otherwise the car behind you may not notice you were slowing down.

Possibly, but if the car stalled, then the ignition would be on anyway (key in position II) - therefore the brake lights should & would still work.

Just surprised that they still work when keyless.

NoNumpty · 12th June 2008, 12:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr021857

Just thinking from a safety point of view, would it not be incase you engine (not likely in a civ i know) cut out or you stalled maybe?

You'd still be able to show you were breaking regardless of igniton or engine running. Otherwise the car behind you may not notice you were slowing down.

But wouldn't the keys still be in the ignition

Kremmen · 12th June 2008, 12:42

My last car did this as well.

I guess that this is another form of automotive legislation that we are not aware of. Much like the rules in the UK that forced Honda to reprogram the door auto lock function when you start to move. OK in other countries though.

I do see it as a safety feature.

NoNumpty · 12th June 2008, 12:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kremmen

My last car did this as well.

I guess that this is another form of automotive legislation that we are not aware of. Much like the rules in the UK that forced Honda to reprogram the door auto lock function when you start to move. OK in other countries though.

I do see it as a safety feature.

So do I but only if someone is in the car and the key in the ignition

Could that be the reason peoples batteries are going flat??

tomtank62 · 12th June 2008, 13:07

I am fairly sure my old Civic 1.5 VTEC-E had the same feature 11 years ago

NEEMSTAR · 12th June 2008, 13:11

every car i've known has had this feature

Dave25 · 12th June 2008, 21:43

Didn't now they did that ( yes I did go outside and try it !) tried it on another vehicle and only works with ignition on, so might be a Honda thing

Nexxo · 13th June 2008, 16:01

The Skoda Fabia has the same feature: brake lights work without a key in the ignition --but only for a while.

12th June 2008, 12:24	#1 (permalink)
pjr We call him... The Stig Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 24th March 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 484 Thanks: 8 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts iTrader: (0)	Brake Lights Work Without Key In Ignition I've noticed this a few times when getting out of the car after parking up, and taking the keys out of the ignition. If you press the brake pedal, the brake lights still work (presumably only for a certain period of time?) I've never seen this on any of my previous cars. They work, even if the keys haven't been in the ignition. Last night I was wanting to take a photograph of my brake light mask that I got from Gers. (photos here : http://www.civinfo.com/forum/194748-post116.html) I unlocked the car, wedged a golf umbrella between the drivers seat and the brake pedal, to turn the brake lights on, and took my photos. I thought the brake lights should only work when the ignition was on ?

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This thread is about: Brake Lights Work Without Key In Ignition, it's in Lights at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; I've noticed this a few times when getting out of the car after parking up, and taking the keys out of the ignition. If you ...

12th June 2008, 12:30	#2 (permalink)
gr021857 Valve Cap Join Date: 6th January 2008 Location: Warrington, UK Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Just thinking from a safety point of view, would it not be incase you engine (not likely in a civ i know) cut out or you stalled maybe? You'd still be able to show you were breaking regardless of igniton or engine running. Otherwise the car behind you may not notice you were slowing down.

12th June 2008, 12:42	#5 (permalink)
Kremmen Krem de la Krem Civinfo guru Join Date: 7th January 2007 Location: West London Posts: 2,840 Thanks: 13 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts iTrader: (0)	My last car did this as well. I guess that this is another form of automotive legislation that we are not aware of. Much like the rules in the UK that forced Honda to reprogram the door auto lock function when you start to move. OK in other countries though. I do see it as a safety feature.

12th June 2008, 13:07	#7 (permalink)
tomtank62 Supporter Wheelnut Join Date: 21st December 2006 Location: Harrogate. North Yorks Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I am fairly sure my old Civic 1.5 VTEC-E had the same feature 11 years ago

12th June 2008, 13:11	#8 (permalink)
NEEMSTAR Nobody gets out alive Rocketship door handle Join Date: 7th October 2007 Location: In your mind Posts: 1,378 Thanks: 30 Thanked 24 Times in 24 Posts iTrader: (0)	every car i've known has had this feature

12th June 2008, 21:43	#9 (permalink)
Dave25 Supporter Valve Cap Join Date: 7th July 2007 Location: Somerset Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Didn't now they did that ( yes I did go outside and try it !) tried it on another vehicle and only works with ignition on, so might be a Honda thing

13th June 2008, 16:01	#10 (permalink)
Nexxo Wheelnut Join Date: 21st April 2008 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 73 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	The Skoda Fabia has the same feature: brake lights work without a key in the ignition --but only for a while.