Brake Warning Light Woes

Smiffy · 07-08-2002, 05:18 AM

Hi I have a problem with the brake warning light staying on on the dashboard on my 82 euro SC , now I know that the warning light has 2 functions in the US spec car ie brake and seat belts but is it the same in the euro spec car. I have checked the brake fluid level and thats OK and the brakes still stop in thier usual fashion any ideas before I take it into the repair shop for them to do a simple fix ??

Thanks in advance

retnug · 07-08-2002, 05:26 AM

I had the same problem in my 82 SC. If you are sure the brakes are ok then the following are two ways to fix it.

1. Pull out the clock. Reach in behind it and unplug the wires from the Brake Warning light. Wait a minute and then plug it back in. This should take care of it. This is the way I took care of it when I had the problem.

2. You could unhook the battery and wait a minute before re -hooking it up.

Good luck.

ErVikingo · 07-08-2002, 05:57 AM

I had the same problem (78 SC), the fix, replace the ground strap at the tranny.

Juan

Smiffy · 07-08-2002, 06:21 AM

Thanks for the info I will give that a try, oddly enough this has only happend after the battery went flat whilst away on holiday I had to push start the car when I got back this might be a conrtributing factor ?

Smiffy · 07-08-2002, 06:34 AM

I have tried the battery trick and checked the connections on the grounding strap the ground strap looks as good as new and the connections are good and tight still got a warning light though any more suggestions anyone ???

retnug · 07-08-2002, 06:36 AM

Did you try unhooking the wires at the back of the light and waiting a couple minutes before reattaching?

Smiffy · 07-08-2002, 11:37 AM

I have tried unconnecting the plug from the lights no success but I have discovered that the light is not at full brilliance and that if you operate the brake fluid level switch it comes on to full brightness, must be a bad earthing problem somewhere ???

Sarah · Sarah's Garage

After we had new brakes put in, the brake light was still on when we got it back from the shop. They said a sensor related to the brake pads had to be re-set. We took it back in, they "re-set" whatever they had to and the light went off. Sorry I cannot be more specific. Just thought i'd add this in case it might be related.

Smiffy · 07-08-2002, 12:04 PM

Thanks Sarah
but mine does not have brake pad sensors too old or not fashionable on an 82 SC I think

bill mateer · 07-08-2002, 12:09 PM

Had a similar problem on my 79 SC, light would come on, dis-connect battery, good for awhile, light would come back on...Ended up being a slightly leaky master cylinder...
at least it went away when I replaced the MC after I found it was leaky....

Good luck, take a close look at your MC....

fly944 · 07-08-2002, 01:00 PM

HAVE YOU TRIED BLEEDING THE SYSTEM. ALWAYS A GOOD PM TO FLUSH SYSTEM ANYHOW.

Smiffy · 07-08-2002, 01:43 PM

I rebuilt the calipers and fitted new braided hoses and pads about 800 miles ago flushed the system with new dot 4 brake fluid, they were all siezed due to lack of use the car has only traveled 8000 miles still with the origional tyres and exhaust now changed it had been stored for 15 years someone bought it for an investment it is a Martini livered car with red white and blue leather interior and Martini striping down the sides, the clutch was also siezed these cars NEED to be driven . I think this brake problem is now down to an electrical fault but where ?? I dont know I hate car electrics

Early_S_Man · 07-08-2002, 02:19 PM

Smiffy,

I suggest starting at the two switches mounted on the master cylinder. Assuming that they are 3-pole switches like USA models ... try unplugging one of the switches, and see if the brake lights still work. If one is not operating the brake lights, then it is defective, and causing the warning lamp problem!

Either switch should work the brake lights, but, with one disconnected the failure warning function is disabled. The switches are the same as used on many VW brake systems, and a VW specialty store can sometimes sell them for less than $10 each!

k9handler · 07-08-2002, 02:51 PM

Check the hand brake switch...adjustment procedures are in the tech manuals (Haynes).
Also check the warning light fuse, to include the backup light switch on the tranny.
I say all this because it just happend to me last month and this is what I had to adjust and look at.