brake lights are stuck on.

[FBF]

any tips, clues or ideas? have just put some 17's on could this be the reason? they were fine before that.

[Simon]

Brake light switch, located above the pedal, have a play with it, it can be adjusted, very common fault on the E30.

[FBF]

thanks simon you are a star. will check it out in the daylight.. if it wernt for forums like this id have a drive way full of sh!t cars in bits...

oh hang on its cos of forums like this that i have all those cars on the driveway in the first place!

[Brianmoooore]

17" wheels are responsible for the harsh ride and poor handling that you now have, but are nothing to do with the brake lights.
Only early E30 brake light switches are adjustable. Later ones are fixed.
Problem will either be the switch itself (not uncommon), or the brake pedals not coming high enough to work the switch.
There is a pull rod which goes across the car behind the heater box. At either end of this rod is a threaded section screwed into a clevis with a locknut. One end of this rod has a normal thread, but the other has a reverse thread, so rotating the rod adjusts its length.
If the pedal is not fully up, release the locknuts and adjust the rod so that the brake pedal just rests against its stop. No more or the brakes will not release properly. Don't forget to retighten the locknuts.

[Gouki]

culprit is that switch on the brake pedal, mine went, got it replaced brand new part from Euro car parts, works fine now.

[FBF]

i can take the brake lights off if i lift the pedal with my foot. so the switch must be fine just need to work out that way to adjust it.. my car is a '90 i assume thats a later model? none adjustable brake light switch?

[Brianmoooore]

Adjust the pull rod that goes across the car behind the heater. It has a normal thread one end and a reverse thread the other, so turning it changes it's length. There are locknuts to loosen first and tighten afterwards.
Don't overdo it, or the brakes won't come off properly.

[FBF]

17" wheels are responsible for the harsh ride and poor handling that you now have, but are nothing to do with the brake lights.
Only early E30 brake light switches are adjustable. Later ones are fixed.
Problem will either be the switch itself (not uncommon), or the brake pedals not coming high enough to work the switch.
There is a pull rod which goes across the car behind the heater box. At either end of this rod is a threaded section screwed into a clevis with a locknut. One end of this rod has a normal thread, but the other has a reverse thread, so rotating the rod adjusts its length.
If the pedal is not fully up, release the locknuts and adjust the rod so that the brake pedal just rests against its stop. No more or the brakes will not release properly. Don't forget to retighten the locknuts.

got it brian. only managed to find one lock nut and still adjusted it. but thinking i need to find the lock nut at the other end wherever that is

[Brianmoooore]

Some seem to have two locknuts, and others just the one.

[FBF]

well either way i owe you a beer. id never have worked it out looking at it... thanks again