Things Aren't Always What They Seem
December 15, 2024
If you drive, you know at some point, something's going to go wrong with your vehicle. And sometimes, it's pretty easy to figure out what's wrong, like a flat tire. But sometimes your vehicle's symptoms can be really puzzling.
One driver in FL was heading to work on a hot July day and noticed when he pressed the accelerator, sometimes it wouldn't do anything. He also noticed his cruise control wouldn't work and his traction control light was constantly on, very unusual.
He was trying to figure it out, but none of it made any sense. His cruise control had always worked perfectly, his traction light never had gone on before and there was never any issue pressing on the accelerator.
It was time to take his car in for a professional diagnosis, and boy, was he surprised that it was a freak accident he'd had the previous WINTER that was the root of his problems. You see, in January, his car had slipped on ice when he was in reverse and had gently tapped a tree. That caused a tiny crack in his rear stoplight.
That crack had gone unnoticed until that July day. Turns out a summer rain allowed water to seep into the taillight casing, so this time when he drove to work, there was enough moisture inside it to cause his stop light to stick on.
When the stop light is on, the car's computer is programmed to act as if the driver is pressing the brakes. It also disables the cruise, accelerator and cruise control when the brakes are on, producing all of the symptoms. Replacing the stop lamp switch fixed everything.
So, while some things that go wrong with your vehicle are pretty obvious, many seemingly defy all logic. That's when a trained technician can scope things out, replace the right part and get you going again.
Need Service?
More articles from Ron's Auto Service

Upsizing Wheels and Tires With Ron's Auto Service
May 17, 2026
Many Cape Coral drivers want to accessorize their vehicle - you know, make it theirs. One of the easiest ways to get a custom look is to get some new wheels. There are thousands of wheel designs at Cape Coral area tire shops to get you the look you want. And for many Cape Coral drivers, that lo... More

Drive Train - What You Need to Know in Cape Coral
May 10, 2026
One Cape Coral automotive service issue that doesn't get much attention is driveline service. Drivelines don't get talked about very much around Cape Coral, but they're very important. First let's define what the driveline is:Taking a small step back, the power plant is comprised of the engine an... More

Water Pump
May 3, 2026
Your cooling system is very important. It circulates coolant through the radiator and your engine to protect your vehicle from overheating. There are five main components to the cooling system: the radiator the radiator cap the hoses the thermostat the water pump The water pump's like... More
