Need help; 2000 Explorer 4x4 v6 "brake" lamp on panel won't come on

[wutzthedeal]

Hey guys,
This is my 1st post... glad to be a part of your group here. I'm in a bad spot; totaled my Kia Sportage hitting a deer, so with the skimpy insurance I got what I could afford, the Explorer. It failed inspection due to a few bulbs being burnt out and the "brake" lamp (not abs) not coming on and the e-brake not working. Long story short, took it to mechanic, got all fixed except the "brake" lamp in the instrument control panel because I forgot to tell him about that (so it failed a 2nd inspection, but the 2nd time only for the lamp--this was the same guy that did the 1st inspection). Anyway, tried to fix it myself...

I've already replaced the bulb, no help. Swapped with other bulbs on the panel, no help still. I don't see a fuse for it in the Hanes manual; I'm I looking at an expensive sensor or? I'm lost, and too broke for another round with the mechanic and if I don't get this inspected by the end of this week, I'm a dead man!

Thank you for your time and help!

 

[Masta Of Evil]

I assume your talking about the parking brake light. I dont know alot about explorers as i just got my 1st 1 (1997 2wd) but maybe there is a switch that isnt getting pressed when the parking brake is applied? just my guess

 

[wutzthedeal]

I assume your talking about the parking brake light. I dont know alot about explorers as i just got my 1st 1 (1997 2wd) but maybe there is a switch that isnt getting pressed when the parking brake is applied? just my guess

Well it is that light, but according to the inspector, that light also comes on when there is a problem with the brakes (which was his primary concern). The lamp is supposed to light up every time you start the car like the others do for a couple seconds. It doesn't do it then or when the brake is applied.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I would find an easier inspection mechanic. I would just tie the brake warning light into another instrument panel bulb, so when you flip the key to on it powers both. Not really sure what it could be, but I wouldn't suspect a sensor, I would think it would be a wiring problem. When you press the e brake, nothing lights on the dash?

 

[joe doe]

there should be a switch right on the ebrake actuator that will illuminate that bulb .look for it .then disconnect it .then make a simple wire jumper to jump that switch and see if the lite comes on .
but the mechanic is right ,it should lite for a few seconds when the keys turned on .

 

[wutzthedeal]

Thanks I will look for it (assuming that is at the top of the e-brake lever, opposite end of why you press, or is that panel-side?) But from what you are saying, the current state it's in, it believes the e-brake is always off (regardless of whether it is pressed or not). If the light is supposed to come on at the start (even when the brake is not pressed) wouldn't it light up anyway in the test phase? I haven't slept; hope I'm making sense.

 

[joe doe]

if your ebrake is on the left like mine then the switch is mounted to it near the gears,you will need to get down in there with a light.

have you checked for 12 volts at the bulbs socket in the dash?the socket could be corroded as well and need a wire brushing.or replacement.
not hard to check the bulb .if bulb checks ok ,then check the socket for 12 volts.
report back.

 

[Mbrooks420]

The e-brake test would rule out a possible voltage problem,(and is a good place to start) but there is more to lighting the bulb than the switch. Like mentioned it should test cycle when the key is turned to on. This is controlled by some computer like the GEM, I would assume.

 

[wutzthedeal]

See image below; obviously I'm not the first one to be in this panel here... And now that I've swapped bulbs all around, ugh. Now the "Check Gage" light is on. Hey, I did get the "brake" light to light messing around with those dangling copper wires (stayed lit...). I'm screwed, me thinks. (Also noticed one bulb, which I only know was not the "brake" bulb, had duct tape over both connectors with wires soldered to each connector obviously to bypass... maybe that was for a whole 'nother issue...)

 

[Mbrooks420]

Nothing like someone else's handy work Did you try disconnecting the jumper they had duct taped? It's possible that this is all related.

 

[wutzthedeal]

After removing all the crap, everything is normal and now the brake light stays constantly on (I suppose this is what one of the owners was trying to hide). Great. If it is that bad where he felt like he had to try to hide it, ugh. So now I start troubleshooting a constantly-on brake indicator...

 

[Mbrooks420]

Start with the e brake switch, like mentioned above. And make sure the brake fluid is topped off Then maybe it's time to test the ABS sensors with a multi-meter.

 

[wutzthedeal]

I checked brake fluid, it was full. I couldn't tell if the switch was the problem so I took it to my mechanic (who I don't know really well enough to trust). He called a few minutes ago and said that somebody had been messing around with the instrument panel and the whole panel would need to be replaced (what?) I said yes I and the previous owner did trying to fix the light problem. I told him I would not be able to afford the work and I'm going to pick it up now.

I'm so screwed. Any suggestions from here? All I need is for the ebrake light to come on when it's depressed, go off when it's released, and to briefly come on during start up. Thanks so much for all your help so far, guys. Hope I'm not getting too annoying.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Do you have a multi-meter? I can't believe they are that thorough on an inspection. I'd test the brake switch and see if I could get that working. If so wire it to the light direct. Then wire up a second positive from another warning light that actually works. Sure, it's not right, but it'd get it inspected. Do you know if you ABS works correctly?

 

[joe doe]

I couldn't tell if the switch was the problem so I took it to my mechanic (who I don't know really well enough to trust). He called a few minutes ago and said that somebody had been messing around with the instrument panel and the whole panel would need to be replaced (what?)

just go to a junkyard and get another instrument panel .you should be able to implant your speedo into it i believe .shouldnt cost too much for one .call around and see.

 

[wutzthedeal]

Ok calling around now... I'll try to get a switch, too. Thanks again... this never stops, I'll bet.