Okay, here's a strange problem that I think I know the answer to, but here it goes:

I went off-roading in pretty muddy/water conditions. Ever since then, the brakelight on the dash comes on when I'm accelerating, usually uphill, and only intermittantly. This is the same light that is tripped when the e-brake is pulled. What I'm assuming is that there crap on the cable/and or brake mechanism that is getting tugged just enough under some conditions to make the light go on. This is the only logical explaination I can come up with. I figured I'd probably have to go through and pull drums and clean out all four brake assemblies. Suggestions?

 

Hey David,

Check the brake fluid level before you start tearing stuff apart! I had a similar issue and it was just low fluid. Hopefully its a quick fix, but your theory is definitely possible too.

 

Good point- I didn't think of that!

 

Yeah, on most vehicles the brake light is only hooked up to the fluid level switch and the parking-brake switch (don't have my truck yet so don't take my word for your truck!). I don't think that tugging on the cable could do it.....but maybe. So definitely (obviously) check those first. I'm betting brake fluid.

Chris

 

That would make sense, since it typically happens when going up hill (the incline would affect the pitch of the fluid in the resevoir.

 

Happened on my 94, it was a case of low brake fluid also. Makes sense with your conditions just like you said.

 

Just to fill you in, the brake fluid was low, topped it off, and no more problems. Thanks again guys!

 

 

Glad it was that simple. Years ago i had a Suzuki Sidekick, i took it off roading frequently and once i got it stuck waist deep in water. A couple of weeks later the Dome light would not shut off, the switches are set low in the doors and had gotten water in and around them. I could dry them out, wirebrush the contact points use dielectric grease and it would be fine for a while and then it would start staying on again, god that was a pain. Got to where i just left the interior light switch turned off only turned it on manually

 

I'm glad too- I'm not a hardcore offroader, and for the amount that I go out, I'd rather climb rocks than go mudding- there are so many electrical components that can get screwed up nowadays that its not worth it unless you've got a beater trail rig that can afford to get trashed.

 

Jeez, i completely forgot to post about the problem that first got me looking at this thread.

With that same Sidekick after about 5 years and many off roading trips the Brake light started coming on, i filled fluids, checked e brake, everything i could think of, usually the light would come on for the first 5 or 10 minutes and would them go out, but that was intermittent. I had one of the rear cylinder's replaced so i assumed they bled the brakes right, basically i never found out what caused it and traded it in after 7 years, the brakes always worked fine, i just assumed it was an electrical short somewhere.

 

Only 3 things will make that light come on. E-brake switch, fluid and ignition on but no charge coming from the alternator (when on with CHARGE light). At least thats the case on the old junk. New junk with ABS and bells and whistles give that light more functions.

 

Haha yea that happened to me. Wish I knew why the light came on before I had to get my Runner towed