Brake Switch Issues Trigger Multiple Dodge Magnum Faults

Having worked on a 2004 Dodge Charger diesel with similar electrical issues, I can share my experience. The symptoms you describe strongly point to a brake light switch malfunction, which matches exactly what I encountered. My initial concern was the tail light failure, but the multiple error messages suggested a more central issue. After some basic troubleshooting, I discovered the brake light switch was simply stuck due to accumulated dirt and debris. The fix was surprisingly simple and cost nothing. The electrical issue resolved after cleaning the switch contact points with electrical contact cleaner. This resolved all connected problems including the vehicle safety system warnings and the erratic tail light behavior. For proper diagnosis of your specific case, could you share: Does the brake pedal feel different when pressing it? Are the error messages consistent or do they appear out of nowhere? Have you noticed any other electrical issues? When exactly did these symptoms start? A proper automotive switch inspection would confirm if your issue matches what I experienced. While my solution cost nothing, a complete switch replacement might be necessary in some cases if cleaning doesnt resolve the problem.

Last service done at 147000 KM. Thanks for the detailed response about the brake switch. I did notice the brake pedal feels slightly stiffer than usual. The error messages appear out of nowhere, usually after the car sits overnight. No other electrical issues noticed. Problems started about 2 weeks ago, right after some heavy rain. I have checked the basic fuses but found nothing obvious there. Would you still lean towards the switch being the culprit rather than moisture-related electrical issues elsewhere?

Thanks for providing those details about your Dodge Magnum. The timing after heavy rain matches my experience exactly, especially since moisture can accelerate switch contact corrosion. The stiffer brake pedal feel combined with unusual error messages further confirms my initial suspicion about the brake light switch. In my case, moisture did play a role, but the root cause remained the switch itself. The water intrusion created oxidation on the automotive switch contacts, causing intermittent failures in the brake system signals. After fixing mine, here are key observations that might help: The stiff pedal normalized within hours after switch cleaning, The vehicle safety warnings cleared completely, The tail light operation became reliable again, Error messages stopped appearing after cold starts Consider checking the switch connector for water residue or corrosion first. A quick spray with electrical contact cleaner might save you the cost of replacement. However, given your mileage at 147000km, a new switch might be the more reliable long-term solution if cleaning doesnt provide permanent results. Have you noticed if the brake lights stay on occasionally when the pedal isnt pressed? This would help confirm if the switch is indeed sticking.

Thanks for the follow-up info. The symptoms after rain really point to the brake light switch, especially since my pedal started feeling normal after addressing it. I just checked and noticed the brake lights do occasionally stay on for a few seconds after releasing the pedal. Combined with the stiff pedal feel and unusual errors, I am now confident the switch is the core issue rather than general moisture problems. I will try cleaning the switch contacts first as suggested. The maintenance records show the original brake switch was never replaced at 147000km, so even if cleaning helps temporarily, I might opt for a new switch to prevent future issues. Good to know this is likely a straightforward fix rather than a complex electrical problem requiring extensive diagnosis. Do you recommend any specific electrical contact cleaner brands for cleaning the brake system components? Also wondering about typical switch replacement costs if cleaning doesnt provide a permanent solution.