93 & 94 Q45 -> Dashboard Red Parking Brake Light Stays On

[qdognd]

I have 94 Q45 and my Mom has a 93 Q45, on both the red parking brake light on the dashboard stays on. At first, the light would stay on and then go out. Now, they both stay on all the time. I've checked the brake fluid level on the 94, and it's OK.

The 94 has 202,000 miles. The 93 has 100,000.

Is this going to be expensive to fix? Any ideal the problem?

Thanks!

[maxnix]

Ever adjusted the parking brake? Is it releasing entirely?

Does you mom know about the timing chain guide problem discussed in the Articles Forum?
Modified by maxnix at 7:04 AM 2/25/2008

[Haitian_King]

This might sound like a dumb question, but did you pull the brake release? Give it a tug. It's on the left hand side of the steering wheel. What about the position of the brake pedal itself? If it's even partially engaged, the light will come on. I've engaged it accidentally getting into the car. I now have a pre ignition ritual in which I always pull the release to make sure it's disengaged before moving the car.

One time I let my buddy drive my Grand Cherokee. He had a manual Jetta. He was so in the habit of pulling the e-brake when he parked that he did it in my Jeep. I didn't realize it and got in the car, started it, and drove away. I was doing 60, wondering why the car felt weird and then I noticed the brake was engaged. Foolishness of youth.

I never let that happen again.

[qdognd]

Thanks for pointing out the chain guide issue.

[Haitian_King]

Do you happen to have a copy of the Factory Service Manual for your 1994? http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45/1994_Q45/

That's the entire book in .pdf format. I don't believe that there is an online version for the 1993. I recently purchased a physical FSM for the 1990-1993 model years. I have to find the time to scan all of the pages in and make a .pdf of it.

Most of the troubleshooting things found in the 94 FSM are applicable to the 93. I've used the 94 numerous times for my 92.

[AlabamaDan]

I recently purchased a physical FSM for the 1990-1993 model years. I have to find the time to scan all of the pages in and make a .pdf of it.

That's quite a task. If you do it could it be with OCR making it searchable?

[Kiven422]

Last time mine stayed on 24/7 was when my rear brakes were out... Check your pads to see if you need to change them out

[Haitian_King]

I wish I knew what OCR was.

I still have to get my hands on Adobe Acrobat to make the .pdf.

I haven't gotten this thing all figured out yet. It may be a while before I can get it together.

[Haitian_King]

Wouldn't an error message appear on the display about the brakes if they were worn out?

[Kiven422]

Yes but when my brakes were replaced the rear sensor was bypassed. So no warning other than the BRAKE light.

The BRAKE light turns on in every car when the brakes are bad.... even my 87 Honda Prelude 4WS

[mayfew]

Have you checked the brake fluid level? It might just be low.

[Q45tech]

Check condition and operation of master cylinder fluid level switch and float.

[qdognd]

Thank you everyone for your input. Here's what turned out to be the fixes:

On the '93 Q45, one of the brake lights was out. On the '94 Q45, the brake fluid was low. (While I said in my original poste I'd checked the brake fluid, the truth is I'm an idiot: I never noticed there are two reservoirs for brake fluid. One was full, the other was low).

[Haitian_King]

YAY!

[dodiho]

OK..I'm an idiot,too...are there TWO brake reservoirs on a '99 Q? If so,other than the obvious one ,where is the other one? and would a faulty brake switch make the ABS,SLIP,TCS lights come on? The OBDII scanner shows no codes relating to these lights...and you are a guy that doesn't "insult" or belittle we older Q owners...Thanks....Doug in Texas

[maxnix]

and would a faulty brake switch make the ABS,SLIP,TCS lights come on?

Usuallly a sign of a failing alternator. How new is the battery? Up to OEM minimum specifications?

It is much easier to replace on the VH41DE than the VH45DE.

[dodiho]

Brian...the battery is 3 years old....original alternator.....how on earth would these affect the dash lights staying on? and cause the cruise to not work? Thanks....