Tail lights are on with the headlights off

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Righty Tighty

Blame it on the dog
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Hey all,

I just connected the battery after an engine rebuild, and the tail lights came on. There is no key in the ignition, and the headlight switch is off. Any ideas where I went wrong?
 
Yep.
Like Mkke69Cuda says...
Check the brake pedal switch, those lights will come on without key on.
 
Agree check break pedal. Pull the pedal toward the back of the car, if lights go out just adjust the switch.
 
Master cylinder removed? That would do it.
 
Thanks, folks. I did replace the master cylinder. I have an all drum car and it had a disc/drum cylinder, so I replaced it with the correct master cylinder. Also, although I did bleed the brakes, I was on a slight incline, so I’m quite sure there’s still air in the system.
 
There is a bolt accessable from the passenger side of the steering column that will allow you to adjust the bracket the brake switch is attached to
 
Update:

Took a look at the brake pedal and switch, somehow they are misaligned. One thought I had was that maybe I put the pushrod for the master cylinder on the wrong side, but then the pushrod wouldn’t be inline with the master cylinder.
DB978308-1A58-4356-ADBF-B7CDFD3AB6B6.jpeg
9E9BE1C3-415C-406E-99FC-1F4C5E2B4EA4.jpeg
 
Update:

Took a look at the brake pedal and switch, somehow they are misaligned. One thought I had was that maybe I put the pushrod for the master cylinder on the wrong side, but then the pushrod wouldn’t be inline with the master cylinder.

The bracket just got tweaked a little bit, push the brake pedal down and bend the switch bracket back to the normal spot with some pliers.
20200727_183659.jpg
 
C5D8FC8A-7417-4862-A574-A13E4B2CB4D2.jpeg
Cool, thanks. Probably when I was upside down and shaped like a pretzel trying to remove the nut for the pushrod.

I noticed what looks like a bushing or some sort of deal in your picture where the pushrod boot is. Am I missing mine?
 
Did you find the bolt to make the final adjustment. It is visible in your photo.

After you streighten the bracket you might need to move the bracket forward or back
 
I did find the bolt, unfortunately I didn't have time to work on it yesterday. I only had a minute to take a look. I really appreciate all the help from everyone.
 
They stamped a bit of a rib in that bracket that was supposed to prevent its bending. It didn't work forever. The rib ends before either of the holes so thats where they bend. If you pull it and put it in a vice to correct it, be careful not to damage the threaded hole.
Some owners install a GM type brake lamp switch. That switch has small straight stem, no head on it. A binder clip can be modified and placed on the pedal arm to create a wider land.
 
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