Brake Light in dash on

[bhuff30]

The brake light in my dash is on most of the time in my 97 GT. It is the same light that illuminates when I pull the parking brake.

The light is on nearly all the time when driving. At first, it mostly came on in cold weather when I used the brakes. Then, it spent more and more time on and now is on pretty much constantly.

The ABS system appears to work correctly. I tested several times in a lock up type situation, and in varying condition (dry and wet) and the anti lock brakes always worked perfectly, pulsing as they should. This leads me to believe a sensor for the parking brake is bad.

So where is the sensor for the parking brake? Is it something that can be adjusted or is my best option replacement?

 

[TheSalad]

Have you checked your brake fluid level? I would check that first.

 

[bhuff30]

I've checked it recently, but didn't think I needed to add any. The overflow container was more than half full, so I thought that was sufficient. I guess the sensor thought otherwise.

I added fluid and the light is off. Guess I'm stupid. I've rebuilt several engines and even a transmission, but can't seem to read the brake fluid level.

 

[joshjwc9]

That happened to me in my Camaro, and I forgot totally to check the fluid level. Don't forget to bleed your brakes as soon as possible too! because air probably got in the lines...

 

[GDawg]

Definitely brake fluid level. Check by the marks on the fluid container.

 

[bhuff30]

It was brake fluid level. It wasn't so low to allow air in the system for sure. It was more than half full.

 

[flstang65]

Funny how sometimes we overlook the simplest things.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Low fluid can sometimes indicate pads are severely worn be sure and check pads.

 

[trinity_gt]

Low fluid can sometimes indicate pads are severely worn be sure and check pads.

+1.

If you do find the pads need replacing, make sure you remove some of that fluid you just added or else when the pistons are pushed back into the calipers, the fluid will come out the master cylinder reservoir and make a mess. Brake fluid is very nasty and you don't want to spill any on painted surfaces, including those you can't see in the engine compartment...