Emergency Brake light

ebackhus · 12-15-2008, 07:48 PM

This only seems to happen when it gets cold, and yes, Texas has gotten cold. When I park I always set the emergency brake in addition to setting the car in 3rd or 4th gear (I drive a 5-speed). When i take off I, of course, release the brake. The problem happens when i am driving. if I hit any sort of bump in the roadway the light for that brake will illuminate. Sometimes it just flickers a bit (it's always solid when the brake is truly engaged) and sometimes it'll be on for a few minutes. I don't really think it's a problem but it IS quite annoying.

**Midnight Tech** · 12-15-2008, 07:56 PM

EB, what kind of car is it?

**SABL** · 12-15-2008, 11:35 PM

Hi EB,

We would like to know the make/model and year to be more specific. But generally the problem is the Ebrake lever or pedal is not fully returning to the disengaged position or the switch button is sticking a little.

As for the gear you select to prevent your parked car from rolling..... a higher gear will give your car (along with gravity) an advantage over your engine's (not running) ability to prevent the car from rolling. Merely a ratio/leverage situation..... choose 1st or reverse gear to prevent rollaway issues.

ebackhus · 12-16-2008, 06:32 PM

Sorry! I forgot to mention the actual car...

1995 Ford Taurus SHO 3.0l

I use third and fourth because I've actually pushed a car that was set in first and made it move quite a bit.

**SABL** · 12-17-2008, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebackhus

Sorry! I forgot to mention the actual car...

1995 Ford Taurus SHO 3.0l

I use third and fourth because I've actually pushed a car that was set in first and made it move quite a bit.

I'll take a peek at the '99 Taurus I own, later today...... it's only 3AM right now.

If that car was in 1st gear, the clutch was not engaged or it was an automatic tranny. "Back in the day" of push starting cars you always had to use the higher gears..... 1st gear would only make the rear wheels (drive wheels) slide and bring the car to a quick halt. Fun fact from long ago..... you could even push start a car with an automatic tranny.

ebackhus · 12-17-2008, 06:54 PM

The car I pushed is my '74 MG Midget. Clutch full on and no brakes set. Either I'm extremely strong or that car just really liked to move!

Thanks for looking into my SHO's brake issue. It's so annoying! >:(

**SABL** · 12-18-2008, 08:35 AM

Sorry I didn't get outside yesterday....my bad. My Taurus has a pedal for the Ebrake.... hope yours is similar.

Make sure the pedal travels freely....not counting the tension on the cable

While pulling the release lever, put your left foot under the Ebrake pedal and pull the pedal up as far as it will go. Check for Eb light being on or for the blinky condition when driving. I checked my switch and if the pedal is not in the full 'release" position the light will stay on.

Perhaps the switch is out of adjustment, loose or even binding. It will be easy to see, just above the pedal pivot. With the Ebrake set and the key in the on position (Ebrake light on), find the plunger on the switch and depress it.....see what the Eb light does.

ebackhus · 12-19-2008, 07:18 PM

Mine also has the pedal. I pull the release handle when I see the light coming on but it doesn't seem to help. A good smack on the left side of the dash does!

Right now I need to test the starter so the fact that it works is a good thing. I still need to adjust the ebrake cable on my girlfriend's Sunfire.

**SABL** · 12-20-2008, 07:15 AM

The plunger for the switch is activated from the pedal and not the release handle. You will have to pull the pedal up by placing your foot underneath the pedal and raising it.

curious99 · 12-20-2008, 06:06 PM

Sounds like you are getting all the help you need...I especially liked the part about smacking the dash to get results!

ebackhus · 12-21-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SABL

The plunger for the switch is activated from the pedal and not the release handle. You will have to pull the pedal up by placing your foot underneath the pedal and raising it.

Tried that as well to no avail. Heh, a rhyme! I don't have any time to look at it this week so I'm taking it to a local garage to have the starter replaced, have the engine tuned up and get the radiator flushed out.

Thanks for the helps tips, though!

**SABL** · 12-22-2008, 04:21 AM

With the cold temps (3F here) it could be the plunger on the switch. I was going to take a pic but since you are headed to the shop I will hold off unless the issue is not resolved.

Good luck and Merry Christmas!!
SABL

cardoc · 12-23-2008, 06:25 PM

Hi everyone
May be a stickey cable.Try reaching under the car near the drivers door and pulling the exposed cable toward the rear and see if this helps.If it does check all the cables to see with one is stickey.I believe your car has rear disc brake with the actuator attached to the calipers.Easy to see while on a lift.These are also prone to sticking.If your really lucky it's just a stickey switch.Sometimes there's a heavy grease on them which doesn't get along with cold weather.
Good luck,Cardoc

12-15-2008, 07:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,286 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Emergency Brake light This only seems to happen when it gets cold, and yes, Texas has gotten cold. When I park I always set the emergency brake in addition to setting the car in 3rd or 4th gear (I drive a 5-speed). When i take off I, of course, release the brake. The problem happens when i am driving. if I hit any sort of bump in the roadway the light for that brake will illuminate. Sometimes it just flickers a bit (it's always solid when the brake is truly engaged) and sometimes it'll be on for a few minutes. I don't really think it's a problem but it IS quite annoying. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

12-15-2008, 07:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Midnight Tech Admin/Head GreaseMonkey/Igor's alter ego/Grand Exalted PoohBah Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: SC Posts: 2,924 OS: Windows XP Home/Pro SP3/Windows 98SE/Fedora Core 6/RH 7.2 with Autopoint/TAMS II	Re: Emergency Brake light EB, what kind of car is it? __________________ Please post all questions in the appropriate forum. Questions sent by email or PM will not be answered. Sharing my life...with my Imzadi! Interested in Trek gaming? Check out the Dynaverse! Proud supporter of the Carolinas Aviation Museum. If we have helped you in any way, please donate to keep TSF up and running!

12-15-2008, 11:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
SABL Moderator Relaxation Room Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Galena, Ohio Posts: 1,244 OS: WinXP SP3	Re: Emergency Brake light Hi EB, We would like to know the make/model and year to be more specific. But generally the problem is the Ebrake lever or pedal is not fully returning to the disengaged position or the switch button is sticking a little. As for the gear you select to prevent your parked car from rolling..... a higher gear will give your car (along with gravity) an advantage over your engine's (not running) ability to prevent the car from rolling. Merely a ratio/leverage situation..... choose 1st or reverse gear to prevent rollaway issues.

12-16-2008, 06:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,286 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Emergency Brake light Sorry! I forgot to mention the actual car... 1995 Ford Taurus SHO 3.0l I use third and fourth because I've actually pushed a car that was set in first and made it move quite a bit. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

12-17-2008, 06:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,286 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Emergency Brake light The car I pushed is my '74 MG Midget. Clutch full on and no brakes set. Either I'm extremely strong or that car just really liked to move! Thanks for looking into my SHO's brake issue. It's so annoying! >:( __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

12-18-2008, 08:35 AM	#7 (permalink)
SABL Moderator Relaxation Room Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Galena, Ohio Posts: 1,244 OS: WinXP SP3	Re: Emergency Brake light Sorry I didn't get outside yesterday....my bad. My Taurus has a pedal for the Ebrake.... hope yours is similar. Make sure the pedal travels freely....not counting the tension on the cable While pulling the release lever, put your left foot under the Ebrake pedal and pull the pedal up as far as it will go. Check for Eb light being on or for the blinky condition when driving. I checked my switch and if the pedal is not in the full 'release" position the light will stay on. Perhaps the switch is out of adjustment, loose or even binding. It will be easy to see, just above the pedal pivot. With the Ebrake set and the key in the on position (Ebrake light on), find the plunger on the switch and depress it.....see what the Eb light does.

12-19-2008, 07:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,286 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Emergency Brake light Mine also has the pedal. I pull the release handle when I see the light coming on but it doesn't seem to help. A good smack on the left side of the dash does! Right now I need to test the starter so the fact that it works is a good thing. I still need to adjust the ebrake cable on my girlfriend's Sunfire. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

12-20-2008, 07:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
SABL Moderator Relaxation Room Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Galena, Ohio Posts: 1,244 OS: WinXP SP3	Re: Emergency Brake light The plunger for the switch is activated from the pedal and not the release handle. You will have to pull the pedal up by placing your foot underneath the pedal and raising it.

12-20-2008, 06:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
curious99 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: delaware? Posts: 16 OS: xp home	Re: Emergency Brake light Sounds like you are getting all the help you need...I especially liked the part about smacking the dash to get results!

12-22-2008, 04:21 AM	#12 (permalink)
SABL Moderator Relaxation Room Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Galena, Ohio Posts: 1,244 OS: WinXP SP3	Re: Emergency Brake light With the cold temps (3F here) it could be the plunger on the switch. I was going to take a pic but since you are headed to the shop I will hold off unless the issue is not resolved. Good luck and Merry Christmas!! SABL

12-23-2008, 06:25 PM	#13 (permalink)
cardoc Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ct. Posts: 198 OS: win xp sp2	Re: Emergency Brake light Hi everyone May be a stickey cable.Try reaching under the car near the drivers door and pulling the exposed cable toward the rear and see if this helps.If it does check all the cables to see with one is stickey.I believe your car has rear disc brake with the actuator attached to the calipers.Easy to see while on a lift.These are also prone to sticking.If your really lucky it's just a stickey switch.Sometimes there's a heavy grease on them which doesn't get along with cold weather. Good luck,Cardoc