Parking brake light comes on occasionally

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Mark Bratcher, Sep 2, 2006.

  1. The parking brake light on the dash of my 2000 Concorde LX comes on
    occasionally even though the parking brake is not engaged. The brake is
    a pedal and it's fully disengaged (pulled up) so the light is not do to
    it being partially pressed from what I can tell. Anyone have any idea
    what could cause this?

    Thanks.
     
    Mark Bratcher, Sep 2, 2006
    #1
  2. Mark Bratcher

    maxpower Guest

    Make sure the master cylinder is at the correct level. If it is low the
    brake lite will also come on.

    Glenn Beasley
    Chrysler Tech
     
    maxpower, Sep 2, 2006
    #2
  3. Mark Bratcher

    maxpower Guest

    Make sure the master cylinder is at the correct level. If it is low the
    brake lite will also come on.

    Glenn Beasley
    Chrysler Tech
     
    maxpower, Sep 2, 2006
    #3
  4. Thanks Glenn. I checked the brake fluid level under the hood and it
    looked OK. Any other thoughts on what it might be?
     
    Mark Bratcher, Sep 2, 2006
    #4
  5. Mark Bratcher

    Joe Pfeiffer Guest

    You need to have the brake system thoroughly inspected. The light is
    warning you that half the brake system is doing 'way too much work;
    there is Something Wrong. Look for leaks, inspect the pads, look for
    signs of dragging. The FSM has the most likely problems, go through
    its list. If you don't own an FSM, take it to a brake shop.
     
    Joe Pfeiffer, Sep 2, 2006
    #5
  6. Mark Bratcher

    maxpower Guest

    Well you didn't mention anything about the brake pedal feel so it could be a
    pressure problem. If the master cylinder is full and the emergency pedal is
    in the full retract position the next thing to check would be a faulty
    emergency brake switch. You can disconnect the switch the next time it turns
    on to see if that is the problem (located on the ratchet assembly) or if
    you think it is a pressure related problem you should have a qualified
    person take a look at it.

    Glenn
     
    maxpower, Sep 3, 2006
    #6
  7. Mark Bratcher

    maxpower Guest

    Well you didn't mention anything about the brake pedal feel so it could be a
    pressure problem. If the master cylinder is full and the emergency pedal is
    in the full retract position the next thing to check would be a faulty
    emergency brake switch. You can disconnect the switch the next time it turns
    on to see if that is the problem (located on the ratchet assembly) or if
    you think it is a pressure related problem you should have a qualified
    person take a look at it.

    Glenn
     
    maxpower, Sep 3, 2006
    #7
  8. OK, just discovered something... the parking brake pedal seems to, on
    it's own drift down a little, activating the brake light. If I engage
    the pedal and pull the brake release, the pedal doesn't fully return: it
    has to be manually pulled up. Does the pedal mechanism include some kind
    of spring that releases it properly? If so, maybe mine's broken.
     
    Mark Bratcher, Sep 4, 2006
    #8
  9. Mark Bratcher

    DeserTBoB Guest

    Gee, ya think?
     
    DeserTBoB, Sep 4, 2006
    #9
  10. Smart-alec comments aside, I wasn't sure because I don't know if the
    pedal uses a spring mechanism, or whether it recoils from some other
    force on the pedal. I was hoping to receive some guidance in that area
    since my Chilton manual doesn't describe it in much detail.

    Anyone here have a *useful* suggestion?

    Thanks.
     
    Mark Bratcher, Sep 4, 2006
    #10
  11. Mark Bratcher

    Joe Pfeiffer Guest

    http://u225.torque.net/haynes_instructions.html

    Start with an FSM; then, of course, you have the mechanism in front of
    you and can look for a spring yourself.
     
    Joe Pfeiffer, Sep 4, 2006
    #11
  12. Aren't we all very funny today? ;)

    My point was that I didn't want to go through the trouble to remove the
    parking brake mechanism if the problem was up the line somewhere else,
    like at the other end of the brake cable (I wasn't sure where the
    tension to pull the pedal back into place originated).
     
    Mark Bratcher, Sep 4, 2006
    #12
  13. Mark Bratcher

    DeserTBoB Guest

    Logic and experience would dictate that you 1.) check the parking
    brake cables for proper lubrication (a routine maintenance item
    neglected by 99% of owners), 2.) the pedal pivot and pawl assembly for
    same and 3.) the condition/presence of a return spring. I've never
    seen a foot parking brake assembly without one...ever.
     
    DeserTBoB, Sep 4, 2006
    #13
  14. Mark Bratcher

    DeserTBoB Guest

    Hilarious, but all too true. I must say, however, that the current
    crop of Haynes "manuals" are a bit better than what Chilton used to
    market...easily the worst "all-in-one" shop manuals I ever saw.
     
    DeserTBoB, Sep 4, 2006
    #14
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.