How do you get your brake lights to shut off on your 1996 accord?

Answer 1

If your brake lights are on constantly I would suspect they are wired incorrectly or the brake light switch is stuck or has failed. Check the brake light switch first. It is located on the brake pedal lever. Disconnect your battery ground then find the switch and disconnect the leads. See if the plunger moves in and out. If you have an ohm meter see that it goes from infinite resistance to 0 resistance when you depress the plunger. If it doesn't work replace the switch. If it does work check to see if the wires going to your brake lights are the correct ones by grounding the wire from the switch to the lights and checking for continuity at the brake light power lead.

New answer:

Accords have a tiny rubber bumper in a hole right at the end of the push-button for the brake light switch. Sometimes the rubber deteriorates and the push button goes through the hole, leaving your lights on all the time. This little rubber bumper costs about $2 at the dealer, or use a small bolt with a nut on the back side, to fill the hole.

To test, reach up with a screwdriver and push the little white plunger on the brake light switch while a helper looks to see if the brake lights go out.