Author Topic: Dash BRAKE Light Problem  (Read 5423 times)

77thor

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 329
    • View Profile
Dash BRAKE Light Problem
« on: August 01, 2013, 07:05:28 PM »
OK. After reading many posts on this subject, I attempted to diagnose my problem:
My dash BRAKE light is always ON.

Now, from what I have read, disconnecting both the wire at the parking brake switch under the dash AND disconnecting the wire at the master cylinder junction block should cause the BRAKE lamp to turn OFF.
Mine stays ON.

Does this mean that I have a short somewhere in that circuit??
« Last Edit: August 01, 2013, 07:23:24 PM by 77thor »
1969 Camaro SS, 350(NOM), M21, 12 Bolt Posi, 01B LOS Build
1977 Camaro, 350(LM1), M20, 10 Bolt Posi, Purchased New, (SOLD)

jdv69z

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1275
  • 69 RS Z/28 52E
    • View Profile
Re: Dash BRAKE Light Problem
« Reply #1 on: August 01, 2013, 08:18:00 PM »
I think so. If you take either of those wires and ground them, the light will come on. So if there is somewhere in the harness where the wires are somehow grounded, the light will stay on. I think you can take a meter and test both wires to confirm. Set meter to measure resistance. Take either of the wires you've disconnected,  and attach to one of the meter leads. Then ground the other lead. You should read infinite resistance, ie, no connection. If you read small or 0 resistance, you've completed the circuit, ie, the wire is touching ground somewhere else. That's your short.
Jimmy V.

77thor

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 329
    • View Profile
Re: Dash BRAKE Light Problem
« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2013, 11:24:39 PM »
That's what I suspected... I just needed confirmation. Thanks.
1969 Camaro SS, 350(NOM), M21, 12 Bolt Posi, 01B LOS Build
1977 Camaro, 350(LM1), M20, 10 Bolt Posi, Purchased New, (SOLD)

77thor

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 329
    • View Profile
Re: Dash BRAKE Light Problem
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2013, 03:50:05 PM »
Found it... Unfortunately the short appears to be behind the interior fuse panel.
Moving the wire a bit caused the BRAKE lamp to turn OFF.
1969 Camaro SS, 350(NOM), M21, 12 Bolt Posi, 01B LOS Build
1977 Camaro, 350(LM1), M20, 10 Bolt Posi, Purchased New, (SOLD)

jdv69z

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1275
  • 69 RS Z/28 52E
    • View Profile
Re: Dash BRAKE Light Problem
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2013, 07:31:42 PM »
At least you know what the problem is. That's often the hardest part of the solution. Maybe you could try to slide a thin piece of paper or something back there trying to insulate the wire from the metal floor pan or firewall, or where ever it is touching.
Jimmy V.

77thor

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 329
    • View Profile
Re: Dash BRAKE Light Problem
« Reply #5 on: August 04, 2013, 12:01:18 AM »
Yeah, I was planning on slipping some heat shrink tubing over the wire  and slide it under the fuse panel.
1969 Camaro SS, 350(NOM), M21, 12 Bolt Posi, 01B LOS Build
1977 Camaro, 350(LM1), M20, 10 Bolt Posi, Purchased New, (SOLD)

 

anything