My check rear lights message comes on when I touch the brakes only when my cruise control is engaged. When cruise control is not engaged, there is no problem. All lights work on car-checked multiple times. When I tap the brakes and the check rear lights come on I can hear a click noise underneath my shifter. Tap the breaks multiple times and multiple clicks underneath my shifter. Is there some sort of switch or relay that engages that needs to be replaced? Easy fix is just engage cruise control when I need it. Thanks for any input.

 

that tap underneath your shifter is the brake switch that disengages the shifter to shift out of park. No problems there. SOrry, can't help you with the rear light

 

Model and year of your car? THe click is the solenoid that holds the shift lever in park until the brake is pressed, as said above.

The brake light switch on the brake pedal actually consists of two switches - one for the lights, one for the cruise control cancel... I'd suggest checking the cruise cancel switch.

 

Since buying my 2003 XJ8 8 months ago I have been plagued by 'check rear lights' sporadically when I brake, on every trip, even though all brake lights appear to be working. Yesterday I cleaned the stop/tail light sockets and bulb terminals (which did not appear to be dirty) with electrical spray cleaner and a rag and today I had my first trip without this annoying warning message coming up.

 

I had the same issue and found that light panel holding all lights was kind of "burnt" and I got a used replacement and it goes fine now,

 

I cleaned my rear bulbs and sockets and tooky problem away