e brake light...possible causes?

[droptopford 5 0]

quick question... only because i'm too curious to wait a day or two before i find out for myself... but my rear brake pads a very low, not enough to scrape on the rotors, but low. Now, when i hit the brakes, and even sometimes when i dont, my e brake light will go on, stay on for a bit, then go off, is this because my rear pads are low, or is it a possible indication that there is something wrong with the master cylinder, or something else wrong with the brake system? how does that sensor even read when your e brake is on or not, could it be a possible bad sensor? thanks, Kyle

 

[94-302-vert]

it could even be an abs thing... in my 03 dakota if I do a good burnout my brake light comes on until I tap the brake pedal.

 

[slvrbullit302]

That is a very good possibility, check the fluid level to see if it is low. If it is not low then it could be the following problem.

More than likely the little switch that is located on the side of the handle has worked its way loose. Mine has done this on several occassions. You can pull the rubber flaps apart and look down in the hole, towards the passenger seat there should be a white switch with a spring stud on it. It is held in place by a small screw and an alignment stud.


Hope this helps a little.



-Tommy

 

[HISSIN50]

Another thought:
The E-brake light should also illuminate if the brake fluid reservior is low. And if you dont top of your reservior as the pads wear, your level is a little low now. And when the fluid sloshes around, it will trigger the low fluid sensor in the reservoir.

Renewing the pads will likely get the level back up - the piston in each brake is extended further now to make up for worn pads. This extra displacement lowers the fluid level. Normal.

Or just top off the system for now. but remember to drain some fluid from the reservoir before you retract the pistons in the brakes during the brake job.

Good luck.

 

[droptopford 5 0]

thanks for the ideas, i have the pads and am replacing them tomorrow morning, but as far as the possibility of it being a brake fluid level problem, there is enough fluid there...it's right at the level. i havnt been doing any good smokeshows lately since the tires are low, so i dont think its the same problem as the dakota. This kinda gets me worried about the possibility of there being a problem with the master cylinder, or the abs. i will obviously find out tomorrow if the pads were the problem, however, my car doesnt stop for beans... i have new pads on the front as well as turned stock rotors on the front(as of 1 1/2 yrs ago and 12k miles) and obviously the rear pads are a little low, but if i jam the brakes on, i couldnt get the abs to kick in if my life depended on it.... even in the rain its pretty hard to get some abs chatter.... rear pads dont have that much effect on the car's stopping do they (enough to keep em from wanting to lock up) since i think it's something like 90% front and 10% rear... or do our brakes suck this bad?

 

[droptopford 5 0]

BTW, I've noticed that sometimes when i cruise up to speed the light will kick on when i hit overdrive and the rpms fall to about 1000-1200... if this has any effect, i dont know, just filling you in on the symptoms

 

[urban96]

mine did the same thing when i needed new pads, stopped after

 

[droptopford 5 0]

mine did the same thing when i needed new pads, stopped after

awesome, thanks man

 

[BlackVert]

my bet is that you are low on fluid in the reservior

 

[mo_dingo]

Air in the lines will also do this. Might need to bleed them. But low fluid is my bet. Start w. that.
Scott