Brake pedal switch

What it means

A switch at the brake pedal tells the car when you are braking. It lights the brake lamps, cancels cruise control and lets an automatic shift out of Park. Most cars have two signals that should always agree.

Codes in this group

Bank 1 is the side of the engine that has cylinder 1. Sensor 1 is before the catalytic converter and sensor 2 is after it. More terms explained.

What you may notice

• Brake lights not working, or stuck on
• Cruise control will not set
• Cannot move an automatic out of Park
• Push-button start not responding

Common causes

Most likely first:

• A worn or misadjusted brake light switch
• A blown brake lamp fuse
• A failed bulb confusing the circuit on some cars
• Damaged wiring

What to check first

• Ask someone to check that all brake lights work when you press the pedal
• Faulty brake lights are a safety risk and an offence: fix this quickly
• The switch is a small, low-cost part

Have a mechanic confirm. A fault code tells you which system reported a problem, not which part has failed. The same code can have several causes, and they differ between car models. Use this page to understand the code, then have a qualified mechanic test the car before any part is replaced.

After the repair

Once the cause is fixed, the code can be cleared with a scan tool, or the warning light goes out by itself after several trips without the fault. Clearing a code without fixing the cause only hides it for a while. More about clearing codes.

Related codes

Engine overheating or overspeed (P0217), Fuel level sensor (P0460), Radiator cooling fan circuit (P0480), Vehicle speed sensor (P0500), Idle speed control (P0505), Engine oil pressure sensor (P0520), Air conditioning pressure sensor (P0530), Battery and charging voltage (P0560). All codes.

Written in November 2026. These are generic OBD-II codes, the same on all makes. Causes and repair steps differ between models.