Brake Light still on when Released Taurus 1994

[Harold2810]

Hi
Can someone help to detect why my brake light is on when released and while driving too.
The brake seems to be working.
I would like to know what are the tests i could do.

Thanks
Harold

[Hal Houston]

Originally Posted by Harold2810

Hi
Can someone help to detect why my brake light is on when released and while driving too.
The brake seems to be working.
I would like to know what are the tests i could do.

Thanks
Harold

I suspect that the brake light switch is at fault. This switch is located on the brake pedal about 3 inches above the actual pad area. It also controls your cruise control if equipped. Disconnect the wire plug from the switch and see if your brake lights go out. If so, replace the switch. Very straight forward, just keep in mind that there is some adjustment to the length of the switch, just observe the old one and put the new one on with the same adjustment

[Harold2810]

After posting my question I drove the car for about 5 km and then stoped and started and the light did not come on when i released the brake lever.
SInce my problem seems to be intermittent could it yet be the lever ?
Thanks
Harold

[denisb]

Originally Posted by Harold2810

After posting my question I drove the car for about 5 km and then stoped and started and the light did not come on when i released the brake lever.
SInce my problem seems to be intermittent could it yet be the lever ?
Thanks
Harold

When you say "when I released the brake lever" do you mean emergency brake or your actual brake pedal and are you talking your brake lights (back of car) or are you talking brake warning light (in instrument cluster)?

If your Brake lights are acting up, I would suspect switch, specially if it's interminent. If it's brake warning light, it's probably low brake fluid or bad switch on the emergency brake assembly.

[KimMG]

Check the fluid level. If the fluid is low, the brake light on the dash will come on.

[Scooterlady1]

I have a 1998 Ford Taurus. On my way to work this morning, the brake light on the dash panel came on. Then it went off. Then it came back on again. I reached down and made sure my emergency brake was released. I pulled over and got out to check my wheels. None of them were hot and I didn't feel as if the brakes were actually being applied. It went off for 10 blocks or so and then flickered on and then went off again. When I got to work, it came on again. I checked my wheels again and they still were cool to the touch.

My ABS light has been on and off for a couple of years now. The garage 2 years ago said the computer wouldn't read the ABS system. They said buying a new computer might solve the problem, but they couldn't guarantee that would take care of it and they said that was an expensive part ($800.00) to take a chance on whether it would fix it or not. They said the brakes would still work even if the light came on or was off, so they recommeded I not do anything.

However, now that the brake light has suddenly come on, I am concerned again and worried that my brakes won't work. Any ideas? Thanks, Linda

[shorod]

Have you checked the brake fluid level in the master cylinder? This will be under the hood mounted at the firewall on the driver's side. If the fluid level is low, it will activate the brake light in your instrument cluster. It may be intermittant because the level is just such that as you hit bumps or go around turns the fluid sloshes and activates the light.

If the fluid level is low, don't just top it off. It is low for a reason. Have your brakes checked. As the friction material wears, fluid is used to take up the space on top of the braking pistons since the pistons are out further to accomodate the worn braking material. Your level could also be low due to a small leak in your system.

The light isn't there to let you know the fluid level is down, the light is there to alert you that your braking system needs attention.

-Rod

[Jeckler]

My '95 does this. Engage the parking brake and look at the rubber pad that's attached to it. That pad contacts the switch and turns the light off when the p-brake is relased. My pad has a hole worn through it, so the switch intermittently comes on. I give the brake lever a kick and it'll turn off. Not the best solution, but works for now. I haven't looked really hard yet, but I'm not sure how that rubber pad comes off. I might just fill the hole with SillyCone or something.