E-brake light stays on

[BigRand]

Hey guys, I was looking through my chiltons guide for the answer to this, but when your E-brake light stays on when your driving, or comes on under acceleration, does that mean your low on fluid, or their is air in the system or something like that.

I didn't get a chance to look at my brake fluid resivoir cause it was late and dark in the parking garage to really see anything, but if thats all it is then I can go fix it tomorrow morning, I was just wondering if it could mean anything else like

The brake pads are low or something like that?

 

[Locke]

id check the fluid level. do the brakes feel fine? also, the hand brake switch is behind/beneath your handbrake. perhaps a stuck switch or a short, also.

 

[dr1665]

Fluid, my man. It's your fluid.

Don't ask me where it goes. It's a sealed system, but it happens. I had the light come on a few years back, myself.

 

[DSMcrazy3]

Fluid, my man. It's your fluid.

Same thing happened to, and is happening to me again!

 

[4UH8ERS]

and make sure when you add fluid to push that rubber nipple back up into the cap before putting it back on.

 

[BigRand]

Thanks guys, I'm on it this afternoon.

P.S. I think its time for some SS brake lines and high temp fluid brake fluid.

Anyone had any install experience w/ these?

 

[4UH8ERS]

Thanks guys, I'm on it this afternoon.

P.S. I think its time for some SS brake lines and high temp fluid brake fluid.

Anyone had any install experience w/ these?

Standard fluid is fine.

The ss brake lines are a good idea though, because they don't expand like the oem ones under pressure.

 

[bullettdsm]

Hey BigRand,

You might want to check your pads/shoes? (IDK if you got pads in back). As the pads and shoes wear, they do take more fluid into the system thus lowering your fluid level.
For a just-in-case.

MB

 

[BigRand]

Hey BigRand,

You might want to check your pads/shoes? (IDK if you got pads in back). As the pads and shoes wear, they do take more fluid into the system thus lowering your fluid level.
For a just-in-case.

MB

Thats probably it, cause my ebrake keeps getting higher and higher, thanks bullet.

 

[slipstream808]

Your e-brake brakes aren't the same as your regular ones. They are located inside the hub of the wheel, and expand like regular drum brakes would. Kinda hard to explain, but you'd need to take the rotors off to see them.

The reason the e-brake is getting higher is because the cable is stretching. You need to tighten it til 5 clicks keeps the car from moving foward on a decent incline (or backwards).

 

[4UH8ERS]

Thats probably it, cause my ebrake keeps getting higher and higher, thanks bullet.

just pop out your cupholder/ashtray section and turn the tensioner about 2-5 rotations towards the drivers side and it will tighten right up.

 

[Locke]

Your e-brake brakes aren't the same as your regular ones. They are located inside the hub of the wheel, and expand like regular drum brakes would. Kinda hard to explain, but you'd need to take the rotors off to see them.

The reason the e-brake is getting higher is because the cable is stretching. You need to tighten it til 5 clicks keeps the car from moving foward on a decent incline (or backwards).

Worn away e-brake shoes will also require more pull on the hand brake to stop the vehicle. When I got mine, i had to replace the e-brake shoes & rotors, (shoes were non-existent. only the shoe-backing was left) then adjust the cable.

Also, yeah there is no fluid involved in the emergency brake. Low fluid switch and hand brake switch are what cause the brake light to come on.

 

[Defiant]

Fluid, my man. It's your fluid.

Don't ask me where it goes. It's a sealed system, but it happens. I had the light come on a few years back, myself.

It goes into the cylinders to take up the space formerly used up by the thickness of the brake pads.

 

[dr1665]

It goes into the cylinders to take up the space formerly used up by the thickness of the brake pads.

You don't say. Common sense would have come in handy prior to posting that one. I guess, with 190,000 miles on the original rear drums brakes, I ought to consider opening them up and replacing the internals this winter when I do the rest of the brake system inspections...