E-brake light coming on continuously as well as e-brake not working well?

[DLo]

I've found a ton of information on this site through searching, and a great deal of it has been really helpful to me. But I can't seem to find a single thread on e-brake issues, and it seems to be a common problem. Lately my light comes on randomly when I drive, and the ebrake is released. Usually happens when I downshift I think, and am slowing down. Also, the emergency brake doesn't seem to grab at all. I have to leave my car in gear if it's parked on a slope, otherwise it will just slide. Any ideas?

 

[matt_656]

just a thought, but you are probably low on brake fluid or the fluid level sensor is bad.

 

[94-302-vert]

I was thinking that the e-brake sensor is known to get loose (i have to tighten mine up)... And you probably need new e-brake cables....

 

[a50sn95]

The light on the dash does two things. It indicates when your parking brake is set. There is a switch on the handle. when it's up, it's on.
The other thing it does is let you know when you are low on fluid. If it is coming on when you are slowing down, it means the fulid is sloshing to the front of the Master cylinder, and causing the light to come on. IF you ignore it for a little while longer, it will be on all the time as the fluid will be low enough. Rather than just top it off, though, You probably need to look at your brakes. All the fluid that WAS in your master cylinder is now in your calipers because the brake pads are worn down. Time for new ones. The fluid will "magically" re-appear when you push the pistons back into the calipers....
Oh, and your Parking brake needs adjusting.

 

[mo_dingo]

You also may have air in the lines. If you have opened any of the lines, like if you swapped calipers, you need to bleed the brakes.......

Or if the fluid is low, that will do it as well.
Scott

 

[a50sn95]

You also may have air in the lines. If you have opened any of the lines, like if you swapped calipers, you need to bleed the brakes.......

Or if the fluid is low, that will do it as well.
Scott

Oh yeah. Air in the lines will allow the pedal to go too far down, which will ALSO turn on the light....

 

[urban96]

my e-brake sucks, no matter how hard i pull it up my car will still roll back

 

[DLo]

Got it. I will check the brake fluid, but my front pads are pretty worn. Guess I'll have to do those asap. Thanks!

 

[Nagash01WS6]

The switch fell off my ebrake.

 

[droptopford 5 0]

same problem happened to me a couple weeks back... i needed new rear pads, and a little more fluid....that = problem fixed