E-Brake light on when released?
05-10-04, 12:48 PM
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E-Brake light on when released?
Over the weekend my e-brake light on my 1980 SA started going on and off intermittently while I was driving. I checked hand brake several times to make sure it was fully released. The light seems to turn on when I stop and turn off when I go. going over hills also seem to make it go on and off. Could this be a loose switch? Any ideas what to look for?
05-10-04, 01:08 PM
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Does the e-brake light only indicate that the hand brake is on?
Or does it also indicate that the brake fluid level is low and/or vacuum leak?
Or does it also indicate that the brake fluid level is low and/or vacuum leak?
05-10-04, 03:02 PM
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Most likely is low fluid. Top it off and see if that fixes your problem. If it does, that mean your fluid is going somewhere. Time to check for leaks before you have a bigger problem.
05-10-04, 03:27 PM
#7
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The brake fluid level moves around a lot in there under heavy driving conditions, and/or hills. This is due to acceleration and gravity changing the effective distance between the float in the cylinder and the magnetic contact switch that's wired in between the front and rear compensating ports.
When your fluid gets below the 'MIN' mark (either because you have a leak or your brake pads are worn and the pistons are taking more fluid than normal), then the magnet in the float is able to come in contact with the mag switch, which causes your 'BRAKE' light to come on. The 'BRAKE' light is not only an indicator of your handbrake position, but also the condition of your brake pads and the overall condition of the braking system regarding leaks.
Most car manufacturers put OEM brake pads on the cars such that they were 'timed' to the brake reservoir. As the brake pads would wear, the pistons are required to move further, thus more brake fluid is drawn out of the reservoir, through the lines, and into the area behind the piston. As this volume of fluid moves from the reservoir to the piston cylinders, the brake fluid level goes down, signaling the 'BRAKE' light to come on, and for you to get a wheel off and check your brake pad condition.
During routine maintenance, after the pads are replaced, the brake system is bled, and the brake fluid in the reservoir is filled to the 'MAX' line; from here, the cycle starts all over again. If you have a brake system leak - get it fixed! Repeatedly adding brake fluid whenever it's low to compensate for a leak is going to eventually bite you.
Simply topping off the fluid level WILL make the light go out, but could also result in you posting back here in a week or so stating that your car is making a 'grinding' noise from the front wheels whenever you use your brakes - this is due to the backing plates grinding down the brake rotors; a very bad thing.
When your fluid gets below the 'MIN' mark (either because you have a leak or your brake pads are worn and the pistons are taking more fluid than normal), then the magnet in the float is able to come in contact with the mag switch, which causes your 'BRAKE' light to come on. The 'BRAKE' light is not only an indicator of your handbrake position, but also the condition of your brake pads and the overall condition of the braking system regarding leaks.
Most car manufacturers put OEM brake pads on the cars such that they were 'timed' to the brake reservoir. As the brake pads would wear, the pistons are required to move further, thus more brake fluid is drawn out of the reservoir, through the lines, and into the area behind the piston. As this volume of fluid moves from the reservoir to the piston cylinders, the brake fluid level goes down, signaling the 'BRAKE' light to come on, and for you to get a wheel off and check your brake pad condition.
During routine maintenance, after the pads are replaced, the brake system is bled, and the brake fluid in the reservoir is filled to the 'MAX' line; from here, the cycle starts all over again. If you have a brake system leak - get it fixed! Repeatedly adding brake fluid whenever it's low to compensate for a leak is going to eventually bite you.
Simply topping off the fluid level WILL make the light go out, but could also result in you posting back here in a week or so stating that your car is making a 'grinding' noise from the front wheels whenever you use your brakes - this is due to the backing plates grinding down the brake rotors; a very bad thing.
Last edited by LongDuck; 05-10-04 at 03:30 PM.
