• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Brake Light in dash on

  • Thread starter Thread starter bhuff30
  • Start date Start date Aug 20, 2009

bhuff30

Founding Member
Dec 11, 2001
6,037
35
129
Olathe KS
Aug 20, 2009
#1
  • Aug 20, 2009
  • #1
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

New Member
Aug 3, 2003
372
0
0
Utah
Aug 20, 2009
#2
  • Aug 20, 2009
  • #2
Have you checked your brake fluid level? I would check that first.
 

bhuff30

Founding Member
Dec 11, 2001
6,037
35
129
Olathe KS
Aug 20, 2009
#3
  • Aug 20, 2009
  • #3


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

Active Member
Jun 12, 2006
1,095
17
39
Palm Harbor, FL
Aug 20, 2009
#4
  • Aug 20, 2009
  • #4
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

Founding Member
Mar 22, 2002
1,469
19
68
Nevada
Aug 20, 2009
#5
  • Aug 20, 2009
  • #5
Definitely brake fluid level. Check by the marks on the fluid container.
 

bhuff30

Founding Member
Dec 11, 2001
6,037
35
129
Olathe KS
Aug 20, 2009
#6
  • Aug 20, 2009
  • #6
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

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2007
1,484
135
94
SE Georgia
Aug 20, 2009
#7
  • Aug 20, 2009
  • #7
Funny how sometimes we overlook the simplest things.
 
K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?
10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
4,749
95
134
Aug 21, 2009
#8
  • Aug 21, 2009
  • #8
Low fluid can sometimes indicate pads are severely worn be sure and check pads.
 

trinity_gt

10 Year Member
Jan 31, 2003
3,125
81
99
Canada
Aug 21, 2009
#9
  • Aug 21, 2009
  • #9
Kilgore Trout said:
Low fluid can sometimes indicate pads are severely worn be sure and check pads.
Click to expand...

+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...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
95 GT parking brake instrument cluster light trouble
  • Aroenias
  • Jun 23, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
219
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 24, 2025
Mustang5L5
2
Electrical mayhem
  • 2000ElectricGreen
  • Mar 13, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
237
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Mar 24, 2026
2000ElectricGreen
2
T
Progress Thread 2002 Mustang 3.8L CV
  • TheIncompetentMechanic
  • May 26, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
52
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jun 1, 2026
TheIncompetentMechanic
T
L
Electrical issue
  • Landonf00
  • Aug 10, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
117
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 10, 2025
Landonf00
L
A
2001 Mustang GT, scorched metal smell and noise from trans/diff?
  • AndyE2255
  • Dec 1, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
424
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Dec 28, 2025
gkomo
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?