My parking brake light has been exhibiting strange behavior over the past few weeks. When I turn the car on, the parking brake light stays on even after I've disengaged the parking brake. If I'm driving and slam on the regular brakes, the light turns off, but turns back on the next time I'm at a full stop and press down on the gas. I haven't noticed any dragging or lower gas mileage, so I don't think the actual brake is still engaged.

No other lights on the instrument panel are turned on.

Any idea what could be causing this and how to fix it? Is it a simple DIY job?

The vehicle is a 2000 GLE, btw.

Thanks!

 

Check your brake fluid.

 

My girlfriends 94 civic was doing the same thing, just needed more brake fluid.

 

I checked the fluid this morning before starting the car and it's still above the minimum, but much lower than the maximum or halfway point. I'd say it's about 1-2cm above the MIN line, but I didn't actually measure it.

Do I fill it up to the halfway point or do I go all the way to MAX? Does the brand of brake fluid matter at all?

 

you should use DOT 3 brake fluid, DOT 4 should work as well. If your brake fluid is low, it indicates your brake pads are worn, before you add fluid, check your brake pads, front and back. also check for leaks. Replace as necessary, top off fluid.

 

Brake fluid.

 

dot 400

 

This is the answer people.

 

How clean is your brake reservior? Your brake reservior float maybe hung up and unable to float back to the top, thus leaving your brake light on! Hopefully your reservior/ and brake fluid is clean if not...Clean your reservior!

 

Topped off the brake fluid and the light is gone. Topped off my coolant and power steering fluid as well, which were also low. Oops. =)

Thanks all!

 

i know my brake light was on when i drove the car a short distance with one of my caliper bolts missing.. so if anybody else has this problem in the future, check all your bolts as well, because they can just fall out if not installed properly (happened on my friend's intrepid)