Parking brake light (it be stayin' on)

[Shaggin' Wagon]

It's not a problem with the switch. Now what?

TIA

Keith

[Michael]

Shaggin' That usually is an indicator that your brakes are worn. I believe it is for the rear brakes because thay cannot squel when worn out. I know the haynes manual states something like that...or at least I think it does. Mine did the same thing when my rear shoes were done...It went away when I redid them.

[Shaggin' Wagon]

That's weird. Just had the fronts done but not the rears, guy said they were fine. Is there an indicator for the fluid level?

[Lugnut]

Your porportioning valve could be frozen in one direction or the other, grounding the "brake" light (completing the circuit). Or, could just be those rear brakes sending the fluid in the porport. valve too far in one direction because they are not properly adjusted (self-adjusters frozen). See if the rear brake adjusters are working properly. Possibly, the mechanic just pulled the drums, saw the shoes were in decent shape and assumed they were adjusted out to meet the drums without a lot of fluid being sent to the rears vs. the fronts.

[Lugnut]

Now, if I could just figure out why my dome lights are staying on all the time..... :confused:

[arter]

There was a similar post not too long ago. Someone more knowledgeable than me (that's alot of people ;) ) pointed out that the proportioning valve activates the light when it senses difference in pressure to front & rear brakes. My light was on yesterday, was leaking from a bleeder I didn't have tight enough.

[Shaggin' Wagon]

Where is this infamous proportioning valve? Didn't see it in my manual.

Thanks

[Shaggin' Wagon]

Hey Lugnut, could it be a grounded door jamb switch? That'd be my first guess at your prob.

[arter]

The valve is on the left frame rail, below the master cylinder. The Chilton manual explains it a little better than the Haynes. First things I would check are sufficient fluid in the master cylinder and for leakage at the brakes and fittings.

[Shaggin' Wagon]

OK, thanks Arter

[Veepster]

that light is also activated by the e-brake. the switch is down behind the e-brake foot lever

[Lugnut]

Ooh, Veepster. Good suggestion. My technical mind went right past that grd. switch on the e. brake. That was just too easy.
And, Shag. -- you probably don't wanna get rambuncious and start tearing into that porportioning valve. They are quite expensive and I've never found kits available for them, and even if they were avail., the bore is prob. pitted from rust anyway and the kit wouldn't do any good. Some people, when they have trouble with this porpor. valve, just take it off and live without it. I'd rather not, if at all possible. This little diddy balances braking pressure front to rear on your vehicle.

[Shaggin' Wagon]

You missed my first post :D , switch is fine. I may just kill the light and avoid all the troubleshooting. :D

[Veepster]

also..you can get new proportioning valves for about $80...I replaced mine last year