Blinking Red Dash Light

onegreenev · 08-17-2013, 05:54 PM

Well I have checked the forum and found that there is supposed to be a reset button on the brake light pressure switch on the master cylinder. Well, I lifted the car and unplugged the brake switch and looked high and low even with my flashlight to see if I could find any sort of button to push. It is a dual spade switch and I did remove the original for replacement with the aftermarket 19mm. So the brake light switch is the one that was on the car. I searched high and low for a good picture of where this elusive button is located on the switch. The button is very annoying. I also did check the E-brake handle to see if that would make a difference, no go.

Does anyone have a good high resolution image of the elusive button to push for the brake switch. I am sure others would also like to know.

Pete

John Rogers · 08-17-2013, 07:15 PM

Some 914s do not have the reset switch such as both the ones I used to own. Check the parking brake switch to see if that is the problem as it is in the area under the lever and can get really gooped up badly. If that does not fix the issue, you can do as I did and pull the bulb. I learned to drive in the time before the government mandated a red light to tell you the brakes were not working when you pressed on the pedal and felt nothing..........

onegreenev · 08-17-2013, 07:59 PM

How do you get to the switch to remove it to check it out. I see where the bit comes up and touches the lever and moves up and down but looks like the switch is under a panel. How do you remove the seat? I pulled the lever and moved it forward but found no way to finish sliding it off. Looks like maybe that switch is not so hot. Lots of gunk around that area. This is actually a very minor issue right now but would like to get it resolved. My big issue is that my car won't start right now. My MPS unit holds a vacuum very well. No leaking down. It was running and I even drove it to work the other day but it has an idle issue. Runs rich and now it just cranks over and won't start but smells of gasoline pretty strong. Plugs could be fouled by the fuel. All the components seem to be working fine. Will have to check spark but I don't think that is an issue as it seemed like it wanted to try this evening but very muffled sounding but still sounded like it wanted to go. Just won't. I replaced lots of hoses and vacuum lines that were old and cracking or so stiff they just broke cleanly in half with very little pressure.

Pete

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

To slide the seat all the way off, reach under the other seat rail than the one with the handle, find a tab and push it up. The seat should slide off at that point; you may also have to pull up on the handle.

If the light still blinks with the wires unplugged from the brake pressure sender, the problem is either with the brake handle switch, or one of the wires from the light has shorted to ground.

The reset button, if it is there, will be in between the two connectors on the switch. It would be covered by a rubber nipple; you can just push the nipple in to push the reset button.

--DD

Lmaze · 04-11-2020, 08:33 AM

I just bought a 1974 916 2.0 that needs some care. I had this same problem of the flashing red warning light and have struggled with it for a few days, obviously frustrated. I read your solution, jacked up the car, removed the guard plate, found the reset button, pressed it and it instantly solved the issue.
Forums like this are priceless and I really appreciate them and even though this was answered was posted 7 years ago it made my weekend today!