emergency brake light stuck on

[rfuerst911sc]

Today my 1983-911SC emergency brake light on the dash stayed on when I released the brake lever,I tried to pull the brake on and off a couple of times but she stayed on,I'm going to Sebring on Saturday for the 12 hour race so is there a quick way to turn this light off?Any thoughts on how to fix?I'm assuming the switch is worn/broke.Thanks

[john walker's workshop]

key on, remove and reattach the positive battery clamp, key off, start car. that usually puts it out, but there may be a problem with the brake light switches if it comes on again later.

[3.2 CAB]

If it still is on after what John said to try, take the rubber cover off the brake handle, you will see a small screw on the passenger side of the brake housing just past the hanldle pivot bolt, along with a curved slot, this it the adjustment set screw for the parking brake light switch. Have the brake released, loosen the screw, just enough to slide it, use the screw driver, or some needlenose pliers to slide the switch in the slot, up or down as needed. Be sure to turn the ignition on first to see the when light goes out, then tighten the set screw, and try it out, apply brake and release, the light should go out. If none of this helps, it could be the wire going to the switch has been pinched and is grounding out causing the light to be lit. Good luck.

[rfuerst911sc]

Thank you both,I will try what you recommended.

[porschenut]

My '86 also did this just a couple of days ago. I cycled the brake handle once or twice and the light went out. I'm interested in how you resolve this on your car.

[rfuerst911sc]

Update-thanks to John Walker,I did as he instructed and the light now works correctly(it goes off when it is supposed to),I never would have thought to try this,it may not last but at least for now I'm good to go,once again thank you.

[bigrubberjeep]

Uh........check brakes! They have a sensor when they are way to worn also.

[john walker's workshop]

sensors on 84 and later.

[bigrubberjeep]

My bad john - Mine is an 85 so your are probably right

[CHILI]

Mine did the same thing for about 3 days. I went to fix it (ie pick up the parking brake handle thinking it was a short, but by that time it went off. Stranger. Hasn't turned back on since (unless it's actually up of course).

[ipapilot]

Not in this case obviously, but it could be low fluid level for future reference. In that case, top off the fluid and then do the battery disconnect thing to reset the circuit. This procedure is in the owner's manual.

[98GTW]

I stumbled on this thread today searching for a starting point for my troubleshooting because my brake warning light failed to go out when I started up to leave work this afternoon. Perusing other threads on the topic I began to expect that the solutino applied to later, more sophisticated cars. But I plowed on ahead and applied the solution below to my '77 and the light is now out. I'll have to wait and see if it comes back as time goes by.

Thanks John, and thanks to the person pho posted the reference to this thread in that other thread.

Dave

Thought more about this and wondered about the specificity of the instruction to remove the positive post.
Electrically speaking, it seems equivalent to remove either termina: the circuit gets broken either way. Is there some other magic going on?

Originally posted by john walker's workshop
key on, remove and reattach the positive battery clamp, key off, start car. that usually puts it out, but there may be a problem with the brake light switches if it comes on again later.

[HarryD]

Originally posted by john walker's workshop
key on, remove and reattach the positive battery clamp, key off, start car. that usually puts it out, but there may be a problem with the brake light switches if it comes on again later.

John,

In my '73 I had the same problem. I pulled off the electrical connector on the master cylinder and the light stopped blinking but the handbrake light continues to work properly. Would the method you list above, reset my switch as well or do I have a bad switch?

TIA

[jstobo]

On the 73 you have a reset push button on the MC switch under the rubber boot. Push this button and it should turn off the light. Of course the reason the switch is out is because the MC failed in some way. If you have bled the brakes recently then this could also cause the switch to indicate a MC failure. If it keeps happening check your MC.

[HarryD]

jstobo,

I am pretty sure my brakes are ok since this happened over a year ago and my car brakes work just fine. When I dicovered it, I did bleed the brakes and the pedal is quite firm. I did note that the electrical connector is pretty corroded.

Harry

[98GTW]

My handbrake warning light is staying on now, but the symptom has me questioning the cause.

I've reset the light a couple of times by following this thread's instructions and it works fine for a while. It isn't using the service brake that sets the light off. I've only had it stick on after using the handbrake, i.e. warning light is off when it should be, set the hadbrake and park overnight, start up the next day and release the hadbrake, and the now the light stays on, with no use of the foot brake at all.

Does this point more toward the switch in the center console? Or is the system smart enough to know there's a problem in the hydraulics even when I haven't used them? Or maybe one of the pressure switches is sticking in the "pressurized" state and when I start up in the morning they should both be in the "de-pressurized" state and that's what is setting the light off?

What say you all?

Thanks,
Dave

[jeffrey2]

Dave - Did you ever get this resolved? I am experiencing exactly the same. Did you resolve it?

[Mitch Leland]

I've lightly read the previous responses so I hope I'm not covering the same ground... If your brake fluid was low the warning light will come on, there is a plunger inside of the reservoir that could be sticking so stick your finger in the reservoir and depress the plunger to release the float which in turn will release the switch for the e-light.

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by HarryD

jstobo,

I am pretty sure my brakes are ok since this happened over a year ago and my car brakes work just fine. When I dicovered it, I did bleed the brakes and the pedal is quite firm. I did note that the electrical connector is pretty corroded.

Harry

This winter I replaced my flexible brake lines and due to corrosion, needed to replace one the of the hard lines as well. I took the opportunity to replace the switch on my master cylinder at the same time. All appears to be well.

For early cars there is no secret switch or button.

[kristan]

Hi,

I am experiencing the same problem for a while now.
The warning light comes on if the two sensors at the master cylinder read different
pressure values.

I had the switches replaced twice, same with the brake fluid.
Event tried a new warning light.
Next thing I will try is replacing the master cylinder.

Christian