P0572 Brake switch A circuit signal reading too low, the switch that tells the computer and cruise control when the brake pedal is pressed

Cruise control/brake switch A circuit low

P0572 in short

P0572 means the computer sees a low voltage signal in the cruise control/brake switch A circuit. Wiring shorted to ground, the switch or, less often, the engine computer are the listed causes. Check that your brake lights work, and have the circuit inspected soon.

The brake switch tells the computer when you press the pedal so cruise control cancels. P0572 sets when that circuit reads lower than expected.

TroubleCodes.net lists a wiring short to ground, the switch and the engine computer as probable causes. One commenter there reports stalling in drive with the brake applied.

Most likely causes

These are general causes for this code across vehicles. None is specific to one make or model.

  1. Wiring shorted to ground in the switch circuit

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    A low circuit reading points to a short to ground, the first cause TroubleCodes.net lists.
    What would change this
    Rises if a wire is chafed or the connector is wet. Falls if wiring tests good.

  2. Faulty cruise/brake switch

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    Listed by TroubleCodes.net as a probable cause.
    What would change this
    Rises if the switch is damaged or its signal is wrong with good wiring. Falls if the switch tests normal.

  3. Engine control module fault

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    Listed last; rule out wiring and the switch first.
    What would change this
    Rises only after the switch and wiring test good.
    How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Have someone watch the brake lights while you press the pedal, and note whether cruise control works.

    Low risk

    • IfBrake lights do not light or stay on

      It meansStop driving until the switch circuit is fixed.

      Go to step 2

    • IfBrake lights work

      It meansInspect the switch and connector.

      Go to step 2

  2. Inspect the brake switch at the pedal, its connector and wiring for damage, corrosion or a chafed wire.

    Best left to a shopTool: flashlight

    Warning:The switch sits under the dash near the pedal and steering column; wiring there is close to airbag components and the brake pedal linkage, so leave probing and replacement to a shop.

Symptoms

  • Cruise control does not work
  • Brake lights do not light with the pedal pressed Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Brake lights stay on Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Check engine light on

How to fix

This is a safety-critical system, so we explain the code but don't give repair steps. Have it inspected by a qualified technician.

On your vehicle

Ram

  • 2021–2022 · ProMaster

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ram bulletin S2205000001 Rev. covers an engine MIL with P0572 Brake Switch 1 Stuck On and C1205-02 Brake Light Switch General Electric Failure on 2021-2022 vehicles. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2015–2017 · 1500

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ram bulletin 9003530-ram covers checking the Brake Pedal Home Position setting against the actual pedal resting position in the ABS module for P0572 or C0042, brake lights staying on, or cruise control not setting on 2015-2017 vehicles. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2015–2017 · 2500

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ram bulletin 9003530-ram covers checking the Brake Pedal Home Position setting against the actual pedal resting position in the ABS module for P0572 or C0042, brake lights staying on, or cruise control not setting on 2015-2017 vehicles. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2015–2017 · 3500

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ram bulletin 9003530-ram covers checking the Brake Pedal Home Position setting against the actual pedal resting position in the ABS module for P0572 or C0042, brake lights staying on, or cruise control not setting on 2015-2017 vehicles. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • S2205000001 Rev.Status unverified

    Engine MIL on with P0572 brake switch stuck on

    2021–2022promaster · issued · NHTSA 10231743

    Engine MIL on with P0572 Brake Switch 1 Stuck On and C1205-02 Brake Light Switch General Electric Failure on 2021-2022 ProMaster. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 9003530-ramStatus unverified

    Check brake pedal home position before replacing the sensor

    2015–20171500, 2500, 3500 · issued · NHTSA 10138851

    Same bulletin as for Durango: for P0572 or C0042, brake lights staying on or cruise control not setting, check the Brake Pedal Home Position setting against the actual pedal resting position in the ABS module with wiTech. Covers 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Dodge

  • 2015–2017 · Durango

    Supported by vehicle data

    Dodge bulletin 9003530 covers checking the Brake Pedal Home Position setting against the actual pedal resting position in the ABS module for P0572 or C0042, brake lights staying on, or cruise control not setting on 2015-2017 vehicles. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 9003530Status unverified

    Check brake pedal home position before replacing the sensor

    2015–2017durango · issued · NHTSA 10138851

    For vehicles with P0572 or C0042, or complaints of brake lights staying on or cruise control not setting, the bulletin says to use wiTech to check the Brake Pedal Home Position setting against the actual pedal resting position in the ABS module. The cached summary is cut off before the rest. Covers 2015-2017 Durango. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Jeep

  • 2015–2017 · Grand Cherokee

    Supported by vehicle data

    Jeep bulletin 9003530-jeep covers checking the Brake Pedal Home Position setting against the actual pedal resting position in the ABS module for P0572 or C0042, brake lights staying on, or cruise control not setting on 2015-2017 vehicles. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 9003530-jeepStatus unverified

    Check brake pedal home position before replacing the sensor

    2015–2017grand-cherokee · issued · NHTSA 10138851

    Same bulletin as for Durango: for P0572 or C0042, brake lights staying on or cruise control not setting, check the Brake Pedal Home Position setting against the actual pedal resting position in the ABS module with wiTech. Covers 2015-2017 Grand Cherokee. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P0571Brake switch A circuit fault, the switch that tells the computer and cruise control when the brake pedal is pressed

    Same system Possible — needs testing

    P0571 is the brake switch A circuit fault code from the same switch.

  • P0573Cruise control or brake switch A circuit reading high

    Same system Possible — needs testing

    P0573 is the high-circuit version of the same cruise/brake switch fault.

All Vehicle speed, idle control and engine electrical codes

Sources and review

  1. On-Board Diagnostic Trouble Codes (generic code title list) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
  2. P0572 trouble code page — TroubleCodes.net
  3. S2205000001 Rev.: Engine MIL on with P0572 brake switch stuck on — Ram
  4. 9003530: Check brake pedal home position before replacing the sensor — Dodge
  5. 9003530-jeep: Check brake pedal home position before replacing the sensor — Jeep
  6. 9003530-ram: Check brake pedal home position before replacing the sensor — Ram
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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