Occasionally, things will suddenly get stuck; your horn wont stop blaring, your brake lights wont go off or your turn signal stays on for miles.  While these things can be embarrasing, annoying or downright frustrating, here are some common sticky problems and some simple solutions you can try if you can’t get to a mechanic right away. 

Brake Lights

Occasionally the brake light will become stuck in the on position, which makes those behind you think you’re riding the brakes, or  that you are a very, very cautious driver!  The problem may be the brake switch, which is located behind the brake pedal or under the dash.  The switch is activated when the brake pedal is pushed and in turn, the brake lights will come on.

If you can see the switch, press it with your fingers to see if you can get it loose and back into the correct position.  If the switch has worked itself too loose, it will need to be tightened. If pressing by hand doesn’t work or if the switch seemed secure, it may be a bad fuse.  Locate the fuse and replace it with a new one.  If the problem still persists, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a mechanic.

Car Horn

Other than a persistent car alarm, this has to be the second most annoying sound I’ve ever heard.
If the horn is stuck, it may mean something is awry inside the steering wheel, so try pushing the horn down firmly in an attempt to work it loose.  Also try pushing down on the horn and rotating the steering wheel at the same time. 

If the above attempt isn’t successful, locate the fuse box, find the fuse for the horn and remove it.

If all else fails and you’re at home or at a location where the vehicle is parked, you can disconnect the negative terminal from the vehicle battery.  Of course, this will prevent the vehicle from starting and is only a temporary fix, but at least you won’t have to hear the blaring sound while you wait for a tow truck or leave to purchase a pack of fuses.

If you’re feeling mechanical, you can unplug the wire running to the horn. Since this is a live wire, once you locate the wire, disconnect the battery. Generally, the horn is located in a front fender with a small access hole.  Open the hood and locate what looks like a hockey puck or a donut if you can’t see it, simply follow the sound. The wire correcting the horn usually ends under a small tab.  Remove the wire and wrap the end with electrical tape.  Re-connect the battery.

Windshield Wipers

Sometimes these get stuck and when it’s in the upright position, it can be a hazard to drive.

Notice if there is any debris or snow packed into the wipers.  If so, turn off the ignition and gently remove the debris or wipe the snow and ice from the wipers and re-try the wiper switch. If the wipers are frozen, take extra precautions not to snap off the wiper or the wiper blade.  If there is no debris or snow, try to push them down gently with your hands and re-try the wiper switch.

Sometimes one of the wiper arms has managed to come loose, been bent, somehow moved out of alignment or the wiper motor has worn out. If it’s the case of a burned out motor, you’ll know when you turn on the wiper switch and absolutely, positively nothing happens. If the motor has worn out, you’ll need to make an appointment with a mechanic to get a replacement.

Dome Light/Interior Lights

Sometimes the dome light or interior lights will stay on, even when all the doors are closed and the timer has shut down.  Removing the bulb from the dome before you get it repaired is an option.

Note the wheel which controls the brightness of the instrument panel lights.  In some models, when this wheel is turned up all the way, it will turn on all the interior lights. Simply roll back the wheel and the interior lights will go off.

This problem might also be remedied by using WD-40 and spraying the door latches. 

This may also be a problem with the relay, so if the above suggestions don’t work, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a mechanic.

Turn Signal

Sometimes the turn signal indicator will stay on long after we’ve made our turn, or we hear a clicking sound after the indicator has moved back into the correct position.

This can also be a bad relay, which is sometimes located under the dashboard.  It may also mean the fuse is going bad. You can try to replace the fuse, but chances are this is a problem best suited for a mechanic.  My daughter had this problem with her Chevy Malibu and after a little research online; she managed to discover that the problem was a recall, which the Chevrolet dealership offered to replace at no charge.

On some models, a very fast blinking signal on the instrument panel may mean that one of the bulbs is burned out.

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