I have a 1990 Maxima Brougham, and just recenetly my E-Brake light on the dash is staying on when my E-brake isn't pulled.

Can someone tell me an easy way to fix this...
Thanks in advance.

 

its probably because your brake fluid is low, GO CHECK IT NOW!
before you drive the car again check the brake fluid.

 

This happened to my brother's Mazda MX-6 a few times. The brake fluid was fine, but I'm not sure exactly what happened. I'll ask him next time I talk to him and let you know what it could be if not brake fluid.

 

yup happened in a co-worker of mines MX-6 as well, checked her fluid and it was fine too...I wonder whats wrong???

but in the Max usually that light means the brake fluid is low. it happened in mine once and I just filled the fluid tank and the light went out!

 

My '91 SE is doing the same thing. My brakes are suddenly at about
%90 as well. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought all E-brakes were cable operated. Does that mean cables actually move the calipers or just activate the rear brakes and bypass the vacuum assist?

 

correct.. the parking brake is on a cable that mechanically pulls on the rear calipers. it has nothing to do with the vacuum or hydraulic systems of the car.

 

you might want also to check to float in the master cylinder sometimes it will stick to the bottom even if it is full of fluid has happen to me one time..or ya can check and make sure the clip on the e-brake is connected it might have fallen off somehow..

 

Thanks. Does it seem odd to you that they wouldn't use a different light for brake fluid? I've been yanking my e-brake up and down trying to get it to stop, really messed with my head.

 

yeah, brakes are serious stuff, you don't wanna be driving around without em and find out the hard way.

 

No, that's fairly common with all cars. Think of that light with the ! in it as saying "something is wrong with the brakes".


BTW, that's neat that they devised a simple system for the e-brake to squeeze the caliper. I always just assumed our rear discs just had this weird system (probably found on older US cars) where there is a separate drum brake inside the rotor - complication city!

 

Make sure none of your brake lights are burned out.

 

my lines were bad when the light kept comin on

 

There is a small switch beneath the e-brake that may need to be adjusted or it simply may be sticking. You would need to remove the console between the seats to get at it.