Parking Brake Warning Light - always lit

Frisch · Post by **Frisch** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:23 am

So my Parking Brake light is always lit. I started dismantling and found the switch, which I believe grounds the circuit when the brake is on. It looked fine. I proceeded to disconnect this wire at two intervals along its path (it had two connectors) and nothing changed. That got me as far as the dash and my back started to bother me more than the dysfunctional warning light, so I called it a day.

Can anyone verify my thoughts on the switch being to ground? Any other ideas?

loki · Post by **loki** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:24 am

that light also warns of low brake fluid, I would check that first.

asorensen · Post by **asorensen** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:25 am

The brake system and clutch cylinders share the same reservoir for the manual transmission model.
I have had that light show for two situations:

Low brake fluid as already noted (this was I think caused by a seized caliper which was weeping) and
Clutch slave cylinder failure (also leaking) which I just finished fixing last week. (Glen from CC Autos got me the part)

If you have a manual this second item might also be the cause of the warning light.

Andy

Green1 · Post by **Green1** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:09 am

Mine has come on a few times from low brake fluid, and it should be noted that "low" isn't all that low and is still above the "min" line on the reservoir. So even if your brake fluid level "looks" ok, it's still worth adding a bit.

I obviously have some very slow leak in my brake fluid... but I don't know where... in just over a year of ownership I've had to top it up twice, maybe a couple of tablespoons lost....

mararmeisto · Post by **mararmeisto** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:34 pm

I don't have my manual readily available to check, but I do remember that the brake light is an indicator for the whole brake system. It indicates if the parking brake is engaged, but it also indicates a problem with braking.

Frisch · Post by **Frisch** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:55 pm

Thanks Loki, J.Paul, and Andy. It was! just my brake fluid. Next time, I might ask first and avoid dismantling the vehicle...maybe.

David

Krackie · Post by **Krackie** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 2:21 pm

I must be blind, but i can't see the brake fluid resevoir . . . can someone illuminate me? My light has been on for a bit and my brakes have bottomed out within a very short time. Wondering if it is just the fluid?

loki · Post by **loki** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 2:46 pm

Krackie wrote:I must be blind, but i can't see the brake fluid resevoir . . . can someone illuminate me? My light has been on for a bit and my brakes have bottomed out within a very short time. Wondering if it is just the fluid?

open the drivers door, and it is behind a plastic cover on the side of the dash.

Krackie · Post by **Krackie** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:11 pm

thank you very much!
topped it up with fluid but the brake pedal still bottoms out :(

EricN · Post by **EricN** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:20 pm

You have a leak somewhere in the brake system and now have air in the system from running out of fluid. Go see a mechanic, stop driving.

robinimpey · Post by **robinimpey** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:40 pm

Green1 wrote:Mine has come on a few times from low brake fluid, and it should be noted that "low" isn't all that low and is still above the "min" line on the reservoir. So even if your brake fluid level "looks" ok, it's still worth adding a bit.

I obviously have some very slow leak in my brake fluid... but I don't know where... in just over a year of ownership I've had to top it up twice, maybe a couple of tablespoons lost....

Green1, have you checked your rear wheel cylinders? I replaced mine as they were leaking just enough to make dust stick to them, but over a period of time would use a little fluid. This is a classic place to lose fluid without having noticeable problems with your brakes. If they are leaking and leak too much the fluid can mess up your rear brake shoes.

I replaced both wheel cylinders one evening after work. It was a quick easy project and each cylinder was around $30.00 from NAPA.

definingdigital · Post by **definingdigital** » Fri Feb 10, 2017 2:39 pm

Just ran into the same issue. My Parking brake came on a while back, I thought it might be a short or something. Just found this post today, topped up the brake fluid and light went out. =)

takeuchi · Post by **takeuchi** » Fri Feb 10, 2017 4:41 pm

definingdigital wrote:Just ran into the same issue. My Parking brake came on a while back, I thought it might be a short or something. Just found this post today, topped up the brake fluid and light went out. =)

I'm glad you posted this as I had the same problem.

Captain America · Post by **Captain America** » Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:19 pm

I can verify as well. When I first got my van the parking brake light was always on. Topped it off with brake fluid and the light went off.

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