E-Brake Light acting strange!

[Webster3]

I've got a wierd problem. When I engage my e-brake the light is no longer going on. I figure the switch is bad, but what's really strange is that when I am driving and I brake hard the light comes on. Any clues on this one??

Ed

 

[udmsvt]

i had problems with my e-brake light for a while butnot quite what you describe...actually, i have had 2 e-brake experiences here they are:

1) 1993 sport. when i bought it, it needed a brake job and the e-brake was inop. 900 bucks later, i got it back. at first, when the e-brake was applied, no light . then sometimes it would and sometimes it wouldnt. now, it always does. my guess, sticky sensor from lack of use. bought @ 79k, now has 97k

2) 1991 eddie. truck has a bad ABS sensor on rear, causing ABS to not work. someimtes when you brake, no lights. but if you brake hard, or are in traffic, the Rear ABS (it doesnt have 4wABS) and the e-brake light eom on and stay on. the truck does brake just fine, but dont expect to have ABS. truck has 165k buthas done this since bought @ 80k, and as mentioned, culprit is bad ABS sensor.


hope those help ya.

 

[xplorerchic]

have you checked your brake fluid level? my ebrake light came on when i was driving for no reason the other day, everything worked fine .... maybe its faulty wiring ...

 

[canada74]

the e-brake light can come on if there is a brake problem, mine doesnt always light up when my e-brake is on

 

[Webster3]

The front brakes were just done, but not the rears. Well, I'll have them checked out but I thought maybe this was a common signal for some particular problem. My fluid is OK too, checked that.

Ed

Originally posted by canada74
the e-brake light can come on if there is a brake problem, mine doesnt always light up when my e-brake is on

 

[RiverRat]

The red brake light will come on if the fluid is low, if the parking brake is on, and during prove-out.

So if I had to diagnose your concerns over the internet I'd say you have low brake fluid due to worn pads/shoes or a leak. I'd guess there is an open circut or bad switch which is not closing the circut and illuminating the brake light when you set it.

 

[Webster3]

If the real shoes are worn down but the fluid looks OK at the resevior can that still cause the problem? It is likely that my shoes are worn down... and I'll re-check the brake fluid tomorrow too.

Ed

Originally posted by RiverRat
The red brake light will come on if the fluid is low, if the parking brake is on, and during prove-out.

So if I had to diagnose your concerns over the internet I'd say you have low brake fluid due to worn pads/shoes or a leak. I'd guess there is an open circut or bad switch which is not closing the circut and illuminating the brake light when you set it.

 

[RiverRat]

I'm not sure if the pads have a "wear sensor" so you'd have to check. If they do then yes, that will cause the light to come on.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Before replacing the parking brake light switch, give it a good shot of WD-40. That fixed mine.
WD-40, gotta love it!

 

[Webster3]

I'll try that! Yeah, its good stuff... I like a little on my PB&J sandwich... makes it go down smooth.

Ed

Originally posted by Runnin'OnEmpty
Before replacing the parking brake light switch, give it a good shot of WD-40. That fixed mine.
WD-40, gotta love it!

 

[section525]

You can also make sure that the float is working properly in your resivour. It could be broken, or bloated, irritable, etc.

 

[Webster3]

Good call guys... thanks for being persistant on the brake fluid thing. Apparently I didn't look carefully at the level... it was low and that was causing the problem I think.

Also, Runnin'onempty's suggestion about a little WD-40 on the switched fixed that issue as well.

So I had two problems and you guys got both of them... no wonder I like this site so much!

Thanks fellas,

Ed