Break light on all the time.

[QuadcityDMC]

This started last fall before I put the car in storage. Break light stays on all the time. I disconnect the wiring to my e-break switch but it still stays on. Any ideas?

[PJ Grady Inc.]

It's probably a bad or misadjusted brake light switch.
Rob



This started last fall before I put the car in storage. Break light stays on all the time. I disconnect the wiring to my e-break switch but it still stays on. Any ideas?

[Rich]

This is about the BRAKE light on the dash, not your "brake lights", right?

E-brake switch was a good start.

There is only one other device that lights that lamp. The brake fluid float/switch in the brake reservoir cap.

Check the brake fluid level. Fill it if low, light should go out.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

I thought he meant the brake lights. Low brake fluid would trigger the dash light correct and a good call.
If not low fluid or the switch check the wiring by the seat tracks. I've seen where someone tightened the tracks down on the wire and grounded the light but that's rare.
Rob


This is about the BRAKE light on the dash, not your "brake lights", right?

E-brake switch was a good start.

There is only one other device that lights that lamp. The brake fluid float/switch in the brake reservoir cap.

Check the brake fluid level. Fill it if low, light should go out.

[David T]

I thought he meant the brake lights. Low brake fluid would trigger the dash light correct and a good call.
If not low fluid or the switch check the wiring by the seat tracks. I've seen where someone tightened the tracks down on the wire and grounded the light but that's rare.
Rob

If the brake warning light in the dash is on and you disconnected the Emergency brake switch you probably are low on brake fluid. If the brake fluid is low that is very serious since the only warning you will get is that light before you lose your service brakes. If the fluid is low it can only be because it leaked out and unless you fix them it will only keep leaking (usually getting worse and worse). Typically if the system gets bad enough to leak it is because the brake fluid was not flushed and got corrosive and rotted the interior of the cylinders. Or/and you have a bad hose. The fix is to rebuild or replace the master cylinder, all the brake hoses and all 4 calipers. If you have a 5-speed you may also need to rebuild the clutch master and slave too. Just throwing some brake fluid into the brake reservoir is no "fix". If what is in there looks dark and thick it is WAY past due.

[davidc89]

Brake fluid sensor? The sensor could go bad. If your brake fluid is low it can indicate that your brake pads are getting to the end of their life or it is leaking some where.

[DMCMW Dave]

Brake fluid sensor? The sensor could go bad. If your brake fluid is low it can indicate that your brake pads are getting to the end of their life or it is leaking some where.

If so that's easy to test. Disconnected = lights off. When you disconnect it and let go of the plug it falls down behind the radiator, and many folks don't bother to plug it back in.

As mentioned only two things turn on that light - low fluid or the hand brake switch. To get to the hand brake switch it's easiest to pull the seat out and check the switch and wiring.

[QuadcityDMC]

I'll check the wiring under the seat. All things to do with breaking (except new pads) have been fixed or upgraded back in 2011ish by DMC-MW. But I will also check the fluid today.

[QuadcityDMC]

Checked e-break wiring. No problem, check fluid next to gas cap, it's half full, removed plate by spare tier, removed black plug, break light off, fluid "looks" ok. I have never had break problems or fluid loss. Looks like the sensors is no longer available. Can I remove that red cap and clean it, is the break system underpressuer? Or is it a leave unplugged type of thing.

[davidc89]

Your brake system should not have any pressure. The only time you would have pressure is when the brakes are applied, but even then your reservoir would not have pressure. If your brake fluid level is lower and you don't have any leaks, your brake pads are probably getting toward the end of their life. If you add more fluid does the light turn out? It might be low enough where it is causing the light to come on. If you add more fluid and you end up having to change the pads, you will have to take some fluid out. Otherwise when you push the pistons back into the caliper your master cylinder might be overfull.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

We have NOS sensors and reseviour's. PM us if interested.
It's not pressurized but if it's half full that's about when the light will come on. It should be filled up to the mold line near the top of the reseviour which is about flush with the inner baffling.
Rob


Checked e-break wiring. No problem, check fluid next to gas cap, it's half full, removed plate by spare tier, removed black plug, break light off, fluid "looks" ok. I have never had break problems or fluid loss. Looks like the sensors is no longer available. Can I remove that red cap and clean it, is the break system underpressuer? Or is it a leave unplugged type of thing.

[DMCMW Dave]

It's hard to see but there is actually the words MIN and MAX cast in the plastic. Max corresponds to the seam at the top of the reservoir.

[QuadcityDMC]

Any dot 4 break fluid will work? Another dumb question, to fill the break is at the top next to the gas cap correct?

[DMCMW Dave]

Any dot 4 break fluid will work? Another dumb question, to fill the break is at the top next to the gas cap correct?

Generally yes. We prefer Castrol GT/LMA. The reservoir next to the gas filler is the clutch. The brake filler is to the left of the spare tire under the carpet, there is a black plug you lift out to get to it. That's where the sensor that turns the brake light in is as well, it is part of the cap.

[refugeefromcalif]

Another dumb question, to fill the break is at the top next to the gas cap correct?

That's where the Clutch Master Cylinder reservoir is located. The BRAKE MC reservoir is under the spare tire.

George

EDIT: Dave was faster....

[QuadcityDMC]

Ok got it, just opened it up, it's at 1/2 between min and max. Just a hair so the sensor is not closing. No breaking fluid leak, I did just take it out of storage and it's been 4 years since its been looked at. I'm going to top it off and replace the pads soon. Thanks for your help guys.