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E-Brake light won't turn off!

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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 07:30 AM
  #1  
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E-Brake light won't turn off!

like the title says....i know when you put the handle down it hits a switch and i made sure that it was plugged in. rarely if i make a left turn the light would go off, but my question is there another place to check to see what triggers that light? maybe the calipers it self or maybe is it sticking? any help is appreciated!! thanks
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 08:20 AM
  #2  
greg985's Avatar
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From: Lafayette, LA
check your brake fluid
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 08:31 AM
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man i forgot about that...i'll try that thanks
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 08:43 AM
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as mentioned, the most obvious culprit is low brake fluid. but also, you may want to inspect the parking brake switch. it located under the e-brake lever. you can see it when you pull the e-brake up.
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 08:59 AM
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thats the first thing i checked was the switch...and i glanced at the brake reservior the other week and didn't notice it was low but i will make sure to take the cap off and check it.
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 09:24 AM
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How many miles on your pads...usually by the time the light comes on they are worn pretty bad...unless you have been topping up the master cylinder as the level dropped

Might want to check your brakes
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 11:09 AM
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not sure how many miles but i just bought the car and the brakes pulsate and shake when i press the brakes, so i ordered slotted rotors and pads to fix that. i did noticed that the plug that goes into the reservior was half way out then i pushed it in and the light is still there. do i have something wrong with my brake system entirely? i mean how many more sensors does it take to trigger that freaken light??
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 11:32 AM
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i mean how many more sensors does it take to trigger that freaken light??
For the brake light alone it's just two: parking brake lever not being down, or fluid level being low. Other problems can cause the bake light and the ABS light to come on together.

Dannobre's point about the pad wear is a good reason to not routinely top off the brake fluid.

Ken
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 11:34 AM
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fluid level is good.....i guess i need to look into the electrical alittle more.
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 11:39 AM
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did you test the e-brake switch or just inspect it to make sure it was plugged in?
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 12:00 PM
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not yet i unplugged it and plugged it in to see if it would work but when the weather gets better i will look into it more. oh and i need a multimeter to test it too.. so i guess i will be picking one up
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 07:57 PM
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From: Suwanee GA
I have the same thing. Looked at the switch and it was OK, read the TSB and sure enough, we had sub 32 degree temps the past couple of days and the plastic tab on the parking brake handle that pushes the switch is broken. I hope the later ones are reinforced. Time to call the junk yards.
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by envyno1
like the title says....i know when you put the handle down it hits a switch and i made sure that it was plugged in. rarely if i make a left turn the light would go off, but my question is there another place to check to see what triggers that light? maybe the calipers it self or maybe is it sticking? any help is appreciated!! thanks
i have almost the same problem my air bag light goes off randomly on and off and no clue what happens there either
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 08:23 PM
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From: Spokane Valley, Washington
Originally Posted by jacky888
i have almost the same problem my air bag light goes off randomly on and off and no clue what happens there either
Check the connections under the seats.
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Old Jan 19, 2009 | 10:28 AM
  #15  
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even if i press the switch myself it still doesn't go off. maybe the switch is bad.. i haven't gotten the chance yet to look at it
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Old Jan 19, 2009 | 10:34 AM
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04RX8man's Avatar
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sounds like a bad switch to me once u get ur DMM test for voltage drop across the switch/resisitance and continuity
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Old Jan 19, 2009 | 10:37 AM
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From: Caca Cali
Originally Posted by EDZRIDE
Check the connections under the seats.
[OT]

^this man speaks the truth

the DIY is in the comments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26u3f...e=channel_page

/threadjack
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Old Jan 19, 2009 | 10:42 AM
  #18  
marvin_rock's Avatar
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From: Virginia Beach, VA
This is actually very well timed/helpful. I'm having the same issue. My brake fluid is fine, I'll have to crack apart the center console to check on the button.
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