89 Astro brake light on - instrmt panel

[stevem442]

My brake light came on today and stays on. Fluid OK, brakes seem to work fine. How can I troubleshoot what the problem is. Also, there is no brake fluid leak. I did take the cover off to inspect fluid, which was ok, cover was put back on securely. Also pulled the vacuum hose and there was plenty of vacuum.

[Blue Bowtie]

You might also want to make sure the park brake is fully released, and that the switch for the park brake is depressed.

[stevem442]

The parking brake is fully released and the light stayed on. When the parking brake is fully released a metal lever breaks the circuit and the light should go out. I can only assume it's not the parking brake. I drove the van today and the brakes seem fine, I'll probably have to take to a shop $$$$$

[old_master]

Only three things can illuminate the dash brake light. The parking brake switch, the centering valve switch, or a short circuit. Turn the key to the RUN position and unplug the wire from the parking brake switch. If the light goes off, the mechanism is either not operating the switch, or the switch is faulty. Next, follow the brake lines from the master cylinder to the centering valve. On the centering valve there is a single wire connected to a switch. Unplug the wire, if the light goes off, the centering valve needs to be centered and the hydraulic system bled. If the parking brake switch and centering valve switch are both ok, there is a short to ground in the wire somewhere.