I have a 1982 RX7 GSL. The emergency brake light recently started to remain on. The emergency brake is off, I know this because I can easily push the car, but the light remains on. I assume the brake light switch is either stuck in the on position or it has failed. I have looked everywhere for it and cannot locate the switch and I have refered to my shop manual and there is no mention of its' location. Can anyone tell me where the emergency brake light switch is located or how to correct this problem, I would really appreciate your help.
Gerald Simons

 

The switch is actually under the hood...your proportioning valve is saying it's time for a brake job, probably the rear drums.

Mario III

 

i always thought the e-brake switch was located on the e-brake handle under the cover, like on the rx3 and 808 i used to have. mine would stay on every now and then but hasn't lately in quite a while.

 

That's another place maybe...I guess one would have to be down there to "sense" the application of the e-brake. However, I'm assuming he's made sure his e-brake is off, so the question is still why won't it shut off? The car is trying to tell you something.

 

Thanks for the advice. No the emergency brake is not on, I have checked that carefully. And I have looked under the emergency brake lever cover for the switch as I though that is where it should be. I can adjust the brake there but there is no switch I can find. As far as the proportioning bypass valve, you might be correct when you say I am due for a brake job, but I just do not understand why the emergency brake light would stay on if I need a brake job. It seems to me the switch must be somewhere else, but maybe I am wrong.
Gerald Simons

 

Well, for domestic iron, the proportioning valve actually has a sensor so that if the disc goes too far back to the back brake side of the cylinder bore, that creates the break in the circuit and the idiot light goes off in the dash.

How Mazda accomplishes the same thing, I'd have to go out and look at the master cylinder to see if it's done the same way. I know the master cylinder itself uses the idiot light to tell you that the brake fluid level is too low but I haven't actually thought about the proportioning valve underneath it.

With front discs, you'll hear the squeal or grinding, please don't ever let it get to grinding, telling you it's time to replace pads. It's very easy to look at the front discs with the tires off to determine if it is time. The back drum brakes have no such easy visual indicator, so the proportioning valve does that job for you.