Faulty Brake Switch Causing Multiple System Warnings?

Had the exact same issue on my 2009 Chevy Malibu last month. The brake light switch replacement was definitely needed, turns out these switches commonly fail on GM vehicles. The symptoms matched yours perfectly: unusual brake light activation and dashboard warnings. The brake pedal switch controls multiple safety systems, including the brake lights and various computer functions. When it fails, it confuses the whole system. In my case, the faulty switch was causing similar erratic behavior with the lights and warnings. Not a hugely serious repair, but it's definitely a vehicle safety issue you shouldn't ignore. The switch itself is a small part located above the brake pedal. When mine failed, the mechanic found the internal contacts were worn out, causing intermittent electrical connections. The repair was straightforward, just needed a new brake light switch and some basic testing to confirm proper operation. More of a nuisance than a major mechanical problem, but worth fixing promptly since it affects your brake lights and safety systems. Make sure to get a proper diagnosis first, while brake switch failure is common, those symptoms could occasionally point to other electrical issues.

Yeah, those brake switch symptoms sound exactly like what happened to my Cobalt! The unusual electrical issues with the brake lights were driving me crazy until I got it fixed. Definitely seems like the same automotive switch problem you had. Did you remember roughly what the repair cost came out to? And has everything been working properly since the brake pedal switch replacement? Just want to make sure no other electrical issues popped up later. Mine's going into the shop next week, hoping it's a straightforward fix like yours was. These electrical gremlins in cars can be so frustrating to diagnose sometimes.

Great news, after my brake light switch replacement, everything has worked perfectly for months now. Not a single warning light or electrical issue since. The technician confirmed it was just a faulty switch causing all those unusual brake light and system warnings. Here's the best part, turned out the switch wasn't actually broken at all! The mechanic found it was just slightly out of adjustment from normal wear. A quick recalibration fixed everything, so I wasn't charged anything for the repair. Total cost: zero. You're smart to get it checked out though, faulty brake lights are definitely a vehicle safety concern worth addressing. Even if it ends up needing a new switch, it's typically not an expensive repair. The important thing is making sure your brake lights work reliably to keep you safe on the road. Just make sure the shop properly tests the electrical connections after any work is done. That way you can be confident the problem is fully resolved and won't pop up again down the road.

Finally got my Cobalt back from the shop today, you were right about it being the brake switch! The mechanic found the old switch was completely shot, causing all those weird electrical issues with the brake lights and warning messages. Total repair cost came to €180 including parts and labor. The new automotive switch took about an hour to install and test. They showed me the old switch, the internal contacts were totally corroded, which explained all the unusual electrical problems. What a relief to have working brake lights again! The vehicle safety system is happy now too, no more unusual warning messages on the dash. Definitely worth getting it fixed properly rather than letting those electrical issues continue. Best part is the brake pedal feel is back to normal and all the car's systems are functioning correctly. Should've gotten it looked at sooner instead of wondering what was wrong. At least now I know what to watch for if similar symptoms pop up in the future.