emergency brake light

[jdmotorsports87]

my emergency brake light wont turn off. any ideas on as to what it might be. sometimes it'll go off and then while im driving it'll come on im thinking it's electrical but im not sure. any help is greatly appreciated.

thanks,
jdmotorsports87

[KimMG]

Did you check your brake fluid level? There is a float in the master cylinder and when the fluid level drops, it causes the brake light to come on.

[jdmotorsports87]

yeah that was the first thing i checked.

[KimMG]

Some vehicles have wear sensors in the brake pads that will cause the light to come on. Need to make sure the float in the master cylinder floats and is not full of fluid and sinking.
How is the truck braking? Does it pull? A failing master cylinder can cause the light to come on.
If the problem is electrical, then follow the circuit and find the wire that is grounding. Look for a pinched wire or a wire with worn insulation. A wiring diagram will help guide you through the circuit. Most likely the short will be after the bulb in the dash.

[fourwd1]

Make sure the switch on the parking brake lever isn't jammed in the ON position.

[dentona]

My 94 p/u does this, cable for emergency brake handle has stretched out over time, so the "boss" that comes and pushes the switch (to turn off light) when you release it...never gets to the switch. It's annoying but no big deal.

[uibalnme]

My truck did that too, but I cleaned out the wire harness to the float sensor in the master cylinder with a little brake cleaner. That cleared up the problem. If the harness gets any dirt and grease in the electrical contacts, it will cause the e-brake light to come on

[Zhorus]

my '84 22R used to do this. i bled the breaks and replaced the shoes and pads since then and the problem has pretty much gone away on its own over time.

[JackSchitt27]

my truck does it because the spring that retracts the e brake bar is worn out and stretched too far, so when my stereo is up high or I hit a bump, i have to push the brake lever back in.