E brake issue

[mattpresley]

I thought my dashlight for my E brake was burned out. I always set the ebrake when parking anywhere. Today my dash brake light turned on when I set my brake. Wtf is going on? You can tell that the ebrake is engaged for sure and the cable is tight. is the dashlight burned out?

 

[mattpresley]

I thought my dashlight for my E brake was burned out. I always set the ebrake when parking anywhere. Today my dash brake light turned on when I set my brake. Wtf is going on? You can tell that the ebrake is engaged for sure and the cable is tight. is the dashlight burned out?

I just went up to the service station to buy some smokes and the light came on like it was supposed to when I parked there. When I parked at the house the light DIDN'T

 

[Toms01PSD]

Funny you mention that because mine does the same thing but I never use it. The one time I let my mother drive it and she parked in the driveway and put it on there was no light so when I backed up it was hard as hell. I released the parking brake really hard and it came off but the light stayed on. I put it back on and the light didn't come on. I did it a couple of times and got the light to go out and I haven't tried it since. I'm guessing you have a manual and that's why you have to use it. I'd just take the bulb out or something because i'm sure it's quite annoying.

 

[mattpresley]

Funny you mention that because mine does the same thing but I never use it. The one time I let my mother drive it and she parked in the driveway and put it on there was no light so when I backed up it was hard as hell. I released the parking brake really hard and it came off but the light stayed on. I put it back on and the light didn't come on. I did it a couple of times and got the light to go out and I haven't tried it since. I'm guessing you have a manual and that's why you have to use it. I'd just take the bulb out or something because i'm sure it's quite annoying.

I wouldnt even notice with my 2.5. 0-60 in half an hour

Edit: I have an auto. I use it just to not put so much stress on brakes

 

[locovaca]

Your bulb might be on the way out. If the filament detaches from one of the conductors and dangles it could not light up until you hit a bump and the filament "catches" the other conductor and stays there until the next bump. I've seen it in regular light bulbs, no reason it couldn't happen in a car too.

 

[Jay FX4]

I have an auto but I use the parking brake regularly. It's one of those things I feel you need to use it all the time....or never. On my last car I used it pretty rarely, and it would hang up when I did use it. Sucked because I had to crawl underneath with a screwdriver to release it. On my Ranger I use the brake a few time a week, just for the hell of it, to keep it working properly.

 

[Mark_88]

Sounds like the switch on the brake mechanism is loose...it's easy enough to get at, if you're a midget contortionist in a circus somewhere...

Actually, you might be able to get at the switch...it's located under the dash on the back of the mechanism that engages the parking brake (foot pedal)...and it may be just loose or dirty...it is a single wire with a simple female clip...you may need to clean it and crimp it on tight with a pair of pliers...

BTW, mine does the same thing...or did until I crimped it...

 

[mattpresley]

Sounds like the switch on the brake mechanism is loose...it's easy enough to get at, if you're a midget contortionist in a circus somewhere...

Actually, you might be able to get at the switch...it's located under the dash on the back of the mechanism that engages the parking brake (foot pedal)...and it may be just loose or dirty...it is a single wire with a simple female clip...you may need to clean it and crimp it on tight with a pair of pliers...

BTW, mine does the same thing...or did until I crimped it...

Im not as worried about the light as I am about the actual parking brake. If the switch is dirty(really doubt it is loose as the brake works great) will that eventually affect my Parking brakes functionality? Also would it give codes to make me fail emmissions? I gotta go get my AZ plates this weekend and will need to take emissions test because of my MS plate

 

[Mark_88]

Im not as worried about the light as I am about the actual parking brake. If the switch is dirty(really doubt it is loose as the brake works great) will that eventually affect my Parking brakes functionality? Also would it give codes to make me fail emmissions? I gotta go get my AZ plates this weekend and will need to take emissions test because of my MS plate

The light itself is not going to affect the functionality of the parking brake...it's just a light that is triggered by the foot pedal to let you know the brake is on...if your parking brake is wonky then it's usually the rear assembly that needs attention...but sometimes you can just use the adjuster on the cable in front of the rear driver's side wheel...it should crank to tighten the cable...but you usually need to soak it in rust remover like WD-40 or similar because they are fully exposed to road spray...

I coat mine with WD-40 and then cover it with a plastic bag and then duct tape them to seal the adjuster...or, at least, I have done this because they are a PITA to adjust when rusted...and may actually snap or otherwise not function...

 

[jon_herr]

ebrake switch gets dirty / resistive

My ebrake light does the same... either doesn't come on or fades in and out. The switch started doing this after I gave the mechanism a good spray lube job one day... got some on the contacts.

If you care, clean or replace the switch, if not, you don't need the light for the parking brake...

The other purpose of the light is to indicate an imbalance between front / rear hydraulic circuits. It is good to have the light itself work for this reason - so if the light comes on when you are cranking the vehicle then you're OK.