Possible ground issue at the taillights.
Replace brake light switch.
There are 2 ways - 1) key off the vehicle off, engage the parking brake, then start the vehicle. Once the parking brake is disengaged the lights will come back on. 2) remove the DRL (daytime running lights) fuse (located in the glove box).
The only thing that will work with key OFF is the brake lights,head lights and emergency flashers. Dome light will also work.
Just turn the key to on (second) position - where you see all the lights come on the dashboard and wait till the brake wear indicator light go off. If you replaced the tripped brake wear sensor, the light will go off in about 10-15 seconds...
the brake switch at the pedal is stuck or out of adjustment.
My 2000 Toyota Tundra Truck, the brake lights come on when your not pressing on the brake paddle. Not even even if the car is on.
The only way to turn them off is to shut off the ignition, pull on the parking brake lever, then restart your engine. Running lights should be off. Once parkig brake is released, lights will come back on.
First shut the vehicle off, then set the parking brake, then start it back up, the lights should remain off. Once you release the e-brake the lights will come back on.
Brake lights should NOT be effected by the headlights. Brake light function is completely independent of the headlights. Assuming you are not refering to the tail lights, or marker lights, which are supposed to come when the head lights are turned on. Not having brake lights when the head lights are on is a big safety problem and should be corrected.
turn the car off and apply the parking brake, when you turn the car back on, or to the accessory position, the daytime lights will not come on until you lower the brake lever
As in electrically hot? Because the brake lights are required or were required to work with the key off.