The red "BRAKE" light in my '85 SE dashboard is always on (so long as the car is, of course). If i remember correctly, this usually refers to the parking brake? And is only consistently on if it's engaged? But, It's not engaged. What should I do now? What troubleshooting procedures should I follow?
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05:26 PM
PFF
System Bot
Raydar Member
Posts: 41116 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
It's also used to indicate a fault in the braking system. The master cylinder has a front and a rear "circuit". If one circuit fails, there is a switch that will slide off center and turn the light on.
You can probably eliminate the master cylinder by unplugging the connector from the MC and seeing if the light stays on or goes out. (If it goes out when unplugged, there's a problem in your braking system somewhere.)
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05:32 PM
MichRT Member
Posts: 196 From: Houston, Texas, US Registered: May 2011
Pull out the parking brake switch and unplug it, make sure there's fluid in the master cylinder, and if that doesn't work, stomp on the brake pedal as had as you can.
Originally posted by RWDPLZ: Pull out the parking brake switch and unplug it, make sure there's fluid in the master cylinder, and if that doesn't work, stomp on the brake pedal as had as you can.
If he has the E-brake cable attach then pull on the cable in back of car.
Need cable tension at E-brake level to shut off brake light and chime.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
My brake indicator light used to stay on even though the brake was disengaged. The wire on my e-brake warning light switch was cut, so I'd look at the switch, or the wiring running from it. It is bolted up to the e-brake handle right behind where the lever pivots, so you'll have to pull the boot to check it.
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11:37 PM
PFF
System Bot
Mar 26th, 2012
MichRT Member
Posts: 196 From: Houston, Texas, US Registered: May 2011
Thanks for all the help guys I figured it out, It turned out to be a much simpler fix than I anticipated. Here is the culprit: http://t.co/824uXzCZ See how low that e-brake cable is? Somehow it got wedged up above, so tension was a bit constant. Pulled it down, straightened it best I could, no more brake light! Now I have a new problem: How can I effectively raise that cable from the ground? Can I tighten it somehow?
There’s a metal hanger (looks like a coat hanger bent into shape) that’s suppose to hold the cable up against the cradle. Yours is missing. There should be one on either side.
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07:21 PM
MichRT Member
Posts: 196 From: Houston, Texas, US Registered: May 2011
There’s a metal hanger (looks like a coat hanger bent into shape) that’s suppose to hold the cable up against the cradle. Yours is missing. There should be one on either side.
Sorry I don't have a pic, but up higher in the wheel well I found a small metal bracket to hold the cable, so I dropped it in there. Grabbed a coat hanger, cut it to size, and shaped it to add a bit more support. Now It's all where it should be! One problem down. Now onto the O2 sensor...
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09:34 PM
Mar 27th, 2012
Australian Member
Posts: 4701 From: Sydney Australia Registered: Sep 2004