I drive a 98 5 speed, when I disengage the e-brake, my e-brake light on the cluster stays on. What is causing this and how can I fix it. Thanx

 

Check your brake fluid - its probably low.

Don't just top it off. The fact that its low means that either your pads are wearing or your have a leak (less likely). Check for worn pads (front and/or rear) and replace if necessary, then top off the fluid in the reservior.

 

You have an e-brake light? I dont.

 

So when you pull the ebrake - no red light in the cluster? how about when you just put the key in the on position (lamp test) - do you see a parking brake light on in that case? if not, you have a blown bulb. If you do see the light in that position, but not when you engage the parking brake, then you have a bad switch at the parking brake. sorry - I need to slow down!

 

Is the ebrake itself fully disengaging? Do you feel a little slack from the ebrake handle when pulling up?

It could be your ebrake lines getting seized up. I had this problem one winter when some moisture got into the line and the ebrake wouldn't full disengage.


Just another suggestion if njmodi's suggestion didn't work.

 

The reason I didn't mention binding cables is that the parking brake switch is triggered by the actual parking brake lever, not the cable retracting - I suppose if the cable prevented the parking brake from seating back to its "lowest" position, then the switch wouldn't get tripped... so its possibly but less likely. He could make sure this wasn't the case by pushing down on the parking brake lever to make sure its all the way down.

 

Sorry for kinda hijacking the thread, but I got my brakes changed by my tire shop and ever since then my e-brake BARELY works at all. It give zero tension and I can pull it all the way to the top. I know it is partially working because it will give SOME resistance when it is all the way up.
Any suggestions/recommendations ???

 

Sounds like you need to adjust the parking brake cable that is attached to the lever. Remove the center console and you'll see the end of the cable and a nut. Tighten the nut so that you take away some of the slack in the cable. You don't want to make it too tight, otherwise the brakes will drag. 7-8 clicks of the lever should result in the car being held nicely (no rolling/moving).

 

in response tot eh first post, there is a little electronic sensor on ure ebrake....when u put the ebrake up something touches this and grounds it out, sending the light to the dash.....when u drop the ebrake the connection is no longer made, look for this its on the passenger side of ure ebrake....a little black connector.....