94 explorer brake light stays on

[angelbaby4078]

i just recently notice my brake light wont go off. it use to do it if i hit the brakes coming to a stop, but now the light won't go off. im moving to florida and will be driving my truck from jersey to fl. but im scared im going to ruin my vehicle. could it be im low on brake fluid or something? anyone have an answer w/ out me paying a fortune on something i could prob. do.
-angel

 

[Halfnuts]

well, there's a button that the brake pedal pushes down on (or possibly pulls on) to activate the brake lamps. If that button has gotten gunked up, it might be stuck in the "on" position.
The switch should be under the dash, right near the top of the brake pedal. Find it and spray it down with some electronics safe cleaner/lubricant (even Throttle body cleaner should work). Then push it around with your finger a few times.
That'd be what I'd look for!
Good luck
~Ken

 

[carlover]

check your brake fluid. Im assuming your talking about the light on the dash??? If so then just check your fluid and fill it up and it will turn off.

 

[Positive Vibes]

check your brake fluid. Im assuming your talking about the light on the dash??? If so then just check your fluid and fill it up and it will turn off.

Bingo! Check your fluid!

 

[BP_93explorer]

Mines doing that too, I assumed it was the fluid. (nOOb question alert) Do you have to bleed the brakes after putting more fluid in it?

 

[colecifer]

Not unless you're so low on fluid that you completely ran the master cylinder out. Brakes only need to bleed if air gets into the lines. If you're just topping off the reservoir nothing needs to be done.

 

[BP_93explorer]

cool, thanks

 

[DeRocha]

As the other have already posted the Red Brake warning light only comes on for two reasons: 1) Low Brake fluid or 2) The Emergency brake is on...
Low brake fluid most often occurs due to the normal wearing of the brake pads, but can also be associated to a leak.. In any case add new fluid to the Brake fluid reservoir to the max line. If your notice any leaks, or the light comes back on they you need to have the leaks repaired.

 

[angelbaby4078]

thanks guys. im gonna try doing that tom. and see what happens.

 

[ma96782]

well, there's a button that the brake pedal pushes down on (or possibly pulls on) to activate the brake lamps. If that button has gotten gunked up, it might be stuck in the "on" position.
The switch should be under the dash, right near the top of the brake pedal. Find it and spray it down with some electronics safe cleaner/lubricant (even Throttle body cleaner should work). Then push it around with your finger a few times.

I replaced mine....a couple of weeks back....FORD Part about $31.00.

Don't delay on fixing it.....I noted the switch had at one point overheated and began to melt the connector......DANGEROUS!!!

Aloha, Mark

 

[Halfnuts]

Oh! I hadn't thought about that brake light-- I read the original post as "Brake Lights"
yeah, the dash lamp would be a whole different issue, then, wouldn't it?
Best of luck
~Ken

 

[pugsy]

I just noticed this but when my parking brake is set, the red brake light on the dash is not lit. It does work, as when I changed my brake lines last month, the light was on when the fluid ran out.
Not really an issue, but just curious. Any ideas?

 

[a_aulbrook]

Had the same problem and it was the switch above the brake peddle. I got my at advanced auto for $12 I think.