Dash Brake Light Gremlin

[DJWUZJ]

Besides the e-brake, what does the "Brake" light on the lower right of my dash tie to? I think I have an electronic gremlin that has been turning it on/off... independent of the e-brake itself.

Brake fluid is good - just flushed and checked for proper fill. Also saw that it could be related to pads, but they all check out as well.

Any other thoughts?

 

[DJWUZJ]

Sunday night bump. Anyone?

Issue reoccurred twice this weekend - both times were in the morning when it was a little cool, but the truck was plenty warmed up.

Thanks!

 

[2000UZJ]

IIRC that is the emergency brake light. I would assume some contact is dirty or the cable isn't retracting fully. If you have a problem with the actual brake system I believe the ABS light comes on.

 

[DJWUZJ]

wiggled cables, lubed the actuators, put the lever through the motions... still have a gremlin lurking. Only seems to do it when cold/before truck is fully warmed up.

Any other ideas? Wouldnt be related to a caliper getting ready to bind up, could it?

 

[2000UZJ]

I would follow the cable back to the rear axle and see if it's stuck. A caliper about to bind up won't trigger it, I had a sticking caliper last year and ran the pads down into the rotor with no warning. No ABS light?

I'm honestly not qualified (especially on brake systems), but possibly a switch/sensor going bad?

 

[SHAGGY101]

Iirc from my head unit install, the brake warning light is triggered by the ebrake lever and not the cable. If you remove the center console, you will see 2 wires (green and yellow?) at the base of the ebrake lever. That may be the problem, worth checking out at least.

 

[marshotel]

I also believe the brake warning light is triggered by the ebrake lever and not the cable.
Check the switch at the base of the lever.

 

[mechanixhorseman]

Check the FSM (because I can't recall off the top of my head) for the exact number of clicks you should get from actuating the e-brake handle. If you aren't getting very many, your cable may be too loose and you will need to adjust the tension from the rear rotors with a flathead screwdriver. Likewise, it may be too tight and causing the sensor to think the e-brake is engaged.

 

[PoppaWheelie]

On some vehicles when you unplug the fluid level sensor on the reservoir, the indicator light will turn off. Not sure if that's the case on these. But next time your light is on, try unplugging it. Maybe a bad or stuck cap or where ever the level sensor is.

 

[DJWUZJ]

8 months later I figured it out... Despite following proper procedure to check brake fluid after my exchange, it was no more than an ounce low. Threw in bit and no more brake light.

 

[SkiLyft]

Thanks for the tips all- the gremlin showed up on my rig and topping it off with some DOT3 did the trick!