2000 Taurus Brake light stays on

[MikeD2]

Hi, my Father's 2000 DOHC Sedan, Front disc/ Rear drum runs & stops perfectly @ 125 K/miles.
The dash board Brake light stays on about 90% of the time. I replaced the Front discs & Rotors about 8000 miles ago. I am not sure about the Rear Drum brakes. The Emergency brake does not stick, the Brake fluid level is at max. The brake petal feels a little low to me but my Dad says it is normal. The ABS light does not stay on, it just comes on at start up like the other warning lights then goes out. Is it possible the rear brakes need to be adjusted? Could a low (to me) brake petal make the warning light stay on?

I have an 04 Sable LS & my petal is much higher.

Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike.

[shorod]

I suspect on a 2000 the only things that will trip the brake light are low fluid level in the master cylinder, the parking brake pedal not fully released, a mis-adjusted parking brake switch, faulty switch on the master cylinder, or an unplugged switch. I'm not sure if unplugging the switch would typically cause the light to go out or remain on.

If you set the parking brake does the light get brighter or remain the same intensity? If there is a grounding issue in the instrument cluster the light may get brighter when the parking brake is set.

-Rod

[MikeD2]

Thanks for the reply Rod. I spoke with my Dad regarding the brake light on the instrument cluster getting brighter when applying the emergency brake, he said it did not change at all. He tried it several times.

When I see him next time I will try Plan B. I will try to locate the switch near the master cylinder, unplug it then plug it in again. I will keep you updated.

Thanks again.

Mike