• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

emrgency break line on while driving


mazdamama

Well-Known Member
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Jul 20, 2008
Messages
285
Age
35
City
reno/sparks Nevada
Vehicle Year
1994
Transmission
Manual
does anyone know if there is any reason why an emergency break light might pop on during driving? this seems to happen when i break really hard and then the light will usually stay on. is there any kind of safety feature that might cause the emergency break to kick in if the front breaks are wearing low? otherwise i think it might be that the parking break cable is binding up and not releasing right.
 
The fluid level in the master cylinder is probably low and when you hit the brakes all the fluid goes away from the sensor in the master cylinder reservoir. Check for any brake fluid leaks. Specifically the rear master cylinder are usually the culprit of a slow leak. Let us know if you need any more help. Thanks!
 
thanks for the advice, but my model only has a master cylinder for the front i believe, and the fluid level is at the max line. its strange the parking brake light and the abs light seem to come on when if i press the brake pedal down hard when i come to a stop, and then stay on for the rest of the time the car is on. im thinking it might even be a wierd electrical problem, but i have no real clue.
any other ideas?
 
Bikerboy your theory is correct with the low fluid except that it was stated the Emergency/parking brake light was on. and I think this is was you were after.

*** Rear Wheel Cylinders *** Not rear master cylinder, That truck should have a single reservoir MC.

I'm actually confused about what is going on here. Are you sure that it is the emerg/parking brake light and not the regular brake light???
 
I had pretty much the exact same symptoms. Made me about pull my hair out trying to think about what it could be. I let it go for about 18 months before I took care of it, because it didn't really seem to affect my braking. First thing I did was clean the ABS sensor, but that didn't help. Checked fluid, that wasn't it. ABS? Nope. No codes.

Ended up being that the adjusters for the parking brake seized up, and the rear drums really didn't work anymore. Cleaned and lubed the adjusters with break grease, reinstalled and everything was fine. Just make sure the fingers on the star wheel aren't all rusted short. I ended up having to go back in a replace them because of that. Not a big deal, because you can get a whole brake adjuster kit for about $8/side.

After the repair, I noticed how much better the truck brakes with working adjusters. Because it was a gradual decline in performance, I never notice just how bad it had gotten.
 
yeah john, thats what im looking at doing here pretty soon, it started having problems after i went mudding a few months back , but the light just came on recently. thanks for all of the advise.
 
Hmmm...the parking brake light is triggered by the switch under the dash...are you sure it's not just stuck open or disconnected?
 
Hmmm...the parking brake light is triggered by the switch under the dash...are you sure it's not just stuck open or disconnected?

Well it seems like it only come on turing certain situations. it a sensor was disconnected it would be on constantly correct?
 
Well it seems like it only come on turing certain situations. it a sensor was disconnected it would be on constantly correct?

If it's triggered by hard braking, in which case the sensor may be subjected to more force than usual, and therefore more easily moved (if it is a sensor).

My parking brake light is pretty simple with no additional sensors...so it's either on or off...but it does come on when I turn on the ignition as a check...maybe something within the wiring in the column is messed up...
 
If it's triggered by hard braking, in which case the sensor may be subjected to more force than usual, and therefore more easily moved (if it is a sensor).

My parking brake light is pretty simple with no additional sensors...so it's either on or off...but it does come on when I turn on the ignition as a check...maybe something within the wiring in the column is messed up...


That seems pretty hard to imagine getting messed up.
 
True, but when all else is ruled out...look for those 'one in a million' type of causes...

But, like I said, it it's NOT a sensor (or switch like on my truck)...the only thing left after that is the actual wiring...I guess once the brakes are checked out and the problem is not solved then the OP will be looking in other areas for a solution.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

TRS Events

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Ranger Adventure Video

TRS Merchandise

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Sponsors


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Sponsored Ad

Back
Top