Parking brake light always on

Post by **dopebox** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:45 pm

Whether the parking brake is engaged or not, the parking brake light on my 1995 240sx SE is always on. Is there any way I can adjust the sensor or anything I can do to get the light off without removing the bulb? Any help would be great.

Post by **U12 2NR** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:45 pm

change your brake pads.

Post by **dopebox** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:45 pm

Do I have to change my front and rear brake pads? Does this mean the light is telling me it's time for new brakes?

Post by **p00t** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:45 pm

im doubtful the 240sx has a system to detect brake pad wear and warn you when the pads needs replacement :rolleyes

the e-brake sensor is right at the base of the lever. unscrew and remove the center console between the front seats. then look at the base of the lever, there should be a little switch that has two wires running to it. Im not sure if you can adjust it or not, try fiddling with it anyway. If that doesnt help unplug it or cut one of the wires, if the light goes out then the switch is probably broken.

Post by **Touchdown038** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:45 pm

You crazy guys... telling him to do all that before the obvious first thing.

If your brake sensor is on, check to make sure the fluid in your brake master cylinder is at the proper level. If it's not, the master cylinder has a sensor on the reservoir that detects if it's not and displays the brake light.

Post by **hurddawg** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:45 pm

the first guy would be correct though...as you use your brake pads, the master cyl level will lower. And if you pads are worn enough it will lower the level enough to set the idiot light off.

Also if you pads are fine, and your level is low check for brake fluid leaks then refill and bleed the brake system...don't just fill it up you maybe overlooking something serious and when you DO change your pads it'll be a mess...

Post by **Touchdown038** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:45 pm

The low level of brake fluid can come from a couple of things, not just the brake pads getting worn. What I told him was just a starting point to diagnose his problem. If the first guy was just telling him to change his brakes, that didn't answer his question as to why the light didn't go off.

Post by **hurddawg** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:45 pm

all i was saying the first guy isn't totally incorrect.

Post by **U12 2NR** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:45 pm

I told him change his brake pads, because looking at the brake pads are the very first thing you should do. Obviously if the brake pads don't need replacing, then it's time to look somewhere else for the cause of the problem. You don't just check the brake fluid resevoir to see if it's low and add more fluid. Nor do you start cutting up wires, you take off your wheels and check your pads.

Post by **Touchdown038** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:45 pm

Looking at the pads is different than changing them, no?

Post by **dopebox** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:45 pm

I'm confused, could worn brake pads or low brake fluid cause the parking brake light to stay on? One time I got it to go off by engaging and releasing the e-brake lever a few times. At any rate I'll check the pads because I just bought the car used and don't know too much about it's service/repair history other than what carfax told me. Thanks for all the info guys.

Post by **Mayhem_J30** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:45 pm

dopebox wrote:I'm confused, could worn brake pads or low brake fluid cause the parking brake light to stay on?

If the brake fluid is low enough, then yes. Check that brake fluid level first. It takes a second to just look at it.

Post by **p00t** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:45 pm

hmm stand corrected.

If it flickers on and off inresponse to the ebrake being moved then its just the little switch on the bottom of the brake lever...

i didnt tell him to go and just cut the wires i told him to check the switch, mess with it, and if it cant be fixed to just unplug it... if it cant be unplugged then cut ONE wire....

Post by **Touchdown038** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:45 pm

Mayhem_J30 wrote:If the brake fluid is low enough, then yes. Check that brake fluid level first. It takes a second to just look at it.

Thank you very much!

Post by **U12 2NR** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:45 pm

Touchdown038 wrote:Looking at the pads is different than changing them, no?

Is it even something worth discussing? I said change the pads, because most likely on a properly fucntioning car, when the brake light comes on, it means change your brake pads. Obviously when you LOOK and see they don't need changing, then leave em alone and look elsewhere for the problem/solution.

P00t, I understand what you told him, I was just being sarcastic. Regardless, the first suggestion to someone's brake light comming on should refer to the brake pads.

Okay guys? Lets go do some stuff or something now. :pface

Post by **dopebox** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:45 pm

Turns out I was low on brake fluid, added some, the light stays off when the e-brake is disengaged and the pedal firmed up some too. Thanks for all your help.

Post by **hurddawg** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:45 pm

it seems like the point of the posts from the others is that you need to find out WHY the fluid was low...you may have fixed the problem temperarily but you may have more serious problems (leaking master cylinder, caliper, need new pads, etc)...if you leave put this step off you can be very sorry later in either monetary or injury...

Post by **rudy543us** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 2:53 pm

Hey touchdown

I have a problem with, what I think is a parking brake 1989 240sx. I I check the parking brake sensor buy, removing the plug, shorting the plug which made the lights dimm "not good" and then I check the sensor on the resovoir, by shorting the leads out which made zero changesI did take a volt meter to both switchs and found zero volts.I was wondering was there any where sensors for brakes that year, it is Not antilock at least I do not see the fance box with all the lines comming out of it.

HelpThank you.

Post by **rudy543us** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 2:54 pm

Hey p00t

I have a problem with, what I think is a parking brake 1989 240sx. I I check the parking brake sensor buy, removing the plug, shorting the plug which made the lights dimm "not good" and then I check the sensor on the resovoir, by shorting the leads out which made zero changesI did take a volt meter to both switchs and found zero volts.I was wondering was there any where sensors for brakes that year, it is Not antilock at least I do not see the fance box with all the lines comming out of it.

HelpThank you.

Post by **rudy543us** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 2:55 pm

Hey U12 2NR

I have a problem with, what I think is a parking brake 1989 240sx. I I check the parking brake sensor buy, removing the plug, shorting the plug which made the lights dimm "not good" and then I check the sensor on the resovoir, by shorting the leads out which made zero changesI did take a volt meter to both switchs and found zero volts.I was wondering was there any where sensors for brakes that year, it is Not antilock at least I do not see the fance box with all the lines comming out of it.

HelpThank you.

Post by **RICERMAN** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:18 pm

DUDE,,,,,,,,,I assume there is a switch mounted near the parking brake lever thats either stuck open or the wire that feeds it is pinched,,,forget the brake pad stuff. If you want to know if you need brake pads you are suspose to look at them.gezzzz

Post by **AWDB12wagon** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:25 pm

I dont think you need to say "hey" to everyone, just respond once, that will suffice. To answer your question, I'm guessing BOTH sensors are supplying ground to the light on the dash, so checking for volts wont tell you jack crap. you need to check for ground with the OHM part of your meter.

Parking brake light always on

Parking brake light always on

Re: (Touchdown038)

Re: (p00t)

Re: (U12 2NR)

Re: Parking brake light always on (dopebox)

Re: (rudy543us)

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