Inspection Issue: Parking Brake Light on Dash Inoperative

[1982911SCTarga]

I've been dinged on my annual state mechanical inspection on my targa for not having my parking brake warning light working with the e-brake (parking brake) set and the engine running, and for not having it go off with the release of the parking brake. These are the rules, and I've got 10 days to correct it or pay full boat later for another intensive mechanical inspection (at which time the almighty "they" might find something else to ding me for).

I've adjusted the parking brake switch and got no joy from that. I've removed the switch, but I'm unclear how the circuit works. It looks to me like the handbrake switch is merely providing a ground for the dash warning light. Is there a way to simulate the car running without having to constantly start it to troubleshoot this switch and wiring? Is it connected to the throttle plate sensor switch?

Jumping the fuel pump does not affect the dash light, which is why I'm thinking the dash light is part of the throttle sensor switch circuit.

Thanks!

Brian

[GothingNC]

That's pretty harsh in VA, do you have centralized testing up there?

It was never checked on my car in NC.

Can you pull the lamp housing from the dash and see if it's getting juice with a test light?

The bulb may have burned out which necessitates replacement of the entire part.

[Shadetree930]

How is this indicator removed from the dash? From the front? Is there something holding it in place from behind?

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Here in rural New York, I show up with my totally illegal 911SC track car and the mechanic hands me an inspection sticker, I hand him a check. Not that he doesn't care--he knows the car is illegal in a variety of ways but he knows that I maintain it carefully and it isn't illegal in any way that's going to hurt someone...

[1982911SCTarga]

That's great and I'm happy for you folks in other states with less restrictive inspection regimes, but I'd like some help with my technical problem.

The parking brake light is lit with the key in the run position and in the start position -- this has nothing to do with the handbrake switch. Once the engine is running, the light goes out and pulling up on the handbrake and messing with the handbrake switch does not switch the dash light on or off.

Thanks!

Brian

[Zef]

I got the same problem when I imported my car from Illinois...It failed the mechanical inspection because of that...The switch below the park brake handle was BKN. Was PITA to reinstall a new one.
need some help down here
Park brake light switch

[chris.817]

There are tabs on either side holding the indicator in the dash. Carefully pry the clock out and you can reach behind and squeeze the tabs.

[Zeke]

OK, then you have a wiring issue if you can determine that the MC switches are in order. Sounds to me they are and what you are seeing is the brake system warning light go on as a check. This does not mean that the hand lever switch is good if it hasn't been checked. Did you do that? You say you did, but how did you check it? then follow the circuit. Do you have the wiring diagram in a manual? (Hopefully you will find the problem before pulling that out becomes necessary) Seems to me that (IIRC) that the handbrake switch needs a constant hot and the switch grounds (completes) the circuit. Just like the door switches for the interior lights. So, check your grounds.

[Palum6o]

Originally Posted by prials

How is this indicator removed from the dash? From the front? Is there something holding it in place from behind?

I'm not sure if you have the same as mine from 86... but whatever you do don't try to pry it out from the front, you'll crack it. As the Bentley says, go through the clock opening, "unplug it from the back and push it out". However, the tabs, and there are four of them: 2 on top and 2 on the bottom, make it difficult. There is a rubber gasket that surrounds the light housing making it really difficult to push the tabs in with your hands. I worked the bottom out first, then took a narrow plastic pannel removal tool, carefuly going in from behind, inside the dash and slid it between the light housing and the rubber gasket (pushing down the top 2 tabs) and it comes right out. What's nice is that the pulg in the back can be pulled out of the opening so you can test your light if you decide to take the light housing apart. I cleaned the contacts with a pencil eraser.

[1982911SCTarga]

Milt, the switch looks fine. The wiring diagram shows the brown/yellow wire (although it looks brown/white to me) running all the way from the parking brake switch to the dash light, so I'm off to check for continuity. I can't get the dash light to light with the engine running and by ground the wire to the switch to the car body.

Brian

[1982911SCTarga]

I'll be damned. I went in through the clock hole and carefully disconnected the harness behind the dash light. There's just enough room to get in there and check continuity with a multimeter from the end of the wire at the handbrake to the harness at the dash light. And ... I had continuity. So I plugged the harness back in, started the car and I can now ground the wire and turn the brake warning light on. Go figure. There must have been some dust or something in the harness plug.

I'm looking good for my remediation inspection.

Brian

[Shadetree930]

Thank you for the technical tips Chris and Palumbo.

I will go at it from the clock hole and check the bulb first.

Maybe I will get lucky and its just a blown bulb. Is it possible to change out the bulb without pulling the entire assembly?

[gigem75]

get down there before it quits working!!!

[Palum6o]

Originally Posted by prials

Thank you for the technical tips Chris and Palumbo.

I will go at it from the clock hole and check the bulb first.

Maybe I will get lucky and its just a blown bulb. Is it possible to change out the bulb without pulling the entire assembly?

yeah, you'll definitely need to remove the light assembly, and then take it apart (it snaps together). I believe the bulbs are soldered in place on the circuit board. Pelican sells the replacement bulbs if you find one that is burnt out.

[bkreigsr]

Originally Posted by gigem75

get down there before it quits working!!!

amen to that...
or before the turnsignals, horn, or wipers start acting up.

[1982911SCTarga]

Went back this morning for re-inspection and it passed. I'm good for another year.

Brian