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89 Pickup Parking Brake Light Comes on Intermittently

Old 10-03-2015, 01:54 PM
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89 Pickup Parking Brake Light Comes on Intermittently [SOLVED]

Odd electrical question time. I got in the truck to run some errands, took off the parking brake, and the light stayed on. A couple minutes later, it went off. A minute or after that, back on. And so on as drove along.

I didn't notice any drag to indicate that it hadn't actually released, so it's gotta be the electrical bits.

What am I looking for as far as a sensor it switch (since I'd rather look there than trace the wires looking for a short)? And, where would it be (I'm expecting it to be near/attached to the release)?

Last edited by kbpickens; 10-20-2015 at 09:26 AM. Reason: Solved
Old 10-03-2015, 02:04 PM
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Check the level in the brake fluid reservoir.

Low fluid can light the light. If the low fluid sloshes the light may go on and off.
Old 10-03-2015, 02:06 PM
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Could low fluid also cause a sound which I can only describe as kind of like holding a wire brush against a spinning rusty disc?
Old 10-03-2015, 02:07 PM
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No, but worn brake pads, or shoes might.
Old 10-03-2015, 02:40 PM
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Fluid level at just the right low level could trip the brake light. Also make sure your parking brake is set all the way in. The sensor for it is at the very bottom of the rod and has a little tab that pushes in on the sensor.

That wire brush noise? Do you have a header on? A header will have a similar noise.
Old 10-03-2015, 03:05 PM
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Release was all the way in. Engine is stock. The fluid is above the minimum, but getting close (it's right around the seam - maybe 1/8 to 1/4 inch above the minimum line). I'll be picking some up tonight or tomorrow. Is the current level likely to be problematic?
Old 10-03-2015, 08:29 PM
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My 91 doesn't like it when the brake fluid is near the 1/2 way point. It will start intermittently tripping the brake light as the fluid shifts over dips and bumps.

2wd truck, stock height front and rear, tires are all the same size.

Last edited by Odin; 10-06-2015 at 06:08 PM.
Old 10-15-2015, 06:20 AM
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Finally got a chance to drive after adding fluid (had a bit longer trip out of state than planned).

That seems to have fixed the issue. I need to clean the reservoir and add a hand-written label for 'Low'.

Thanks again, everyone.
Old 10-15-2015, 11:19 AM
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Great to hear you got it fixed.
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