Hand Brake Lamp Is On

[westcoasting]

Hi Folks,

A relative newbie here. A few weeks ago, for no reason my hand brake indicator light (and the fasten seat belts lamp on the dash) started to flicker on, then stop.

Then the handbrake lamp kept flickering on, and went off when I applied the brakes.

Now, the handbrake lamp is always on. This all was within the last 3 weeks or so.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

1976 Sahara Beige 02.

[steve k.]

check the brake fluid level. The light is the indicator for that as well as hand brake.

steve k.

[Mike Self]

cause the brake warning light to illuminate if the sensor detects a greater than normal difference in the pressure between the two hydraulic systems that comprise your brake system. If you're losing brake fluid, there may be a problem that will cause the sensor to trigger the warning light. The sensor is located near the M/C and the reset button is under a rubber plug.

But I'd check fluid level first since it was intermittent to begin with. If the light still doesn't go out and you know it isn't the handbrake switch, then I'd suspect this bias sensor--found ONLY on 76s.

cheers

mike

[clc]

Also check the handbrake itself. there's a spring loaded switch that if its not working, the brake light will come on. lift up the rubber boot at the handbrake and check the switch. mine would bind up and not either open or close when I took the e-brake off. HTH

[Guest Anonymous]

And when you're checking the fluid, you may want to also check the little float in the cap. My fluid was topped off, but the stupid float was clogged up and would just sit at the bottom. I think my dad hit it with WD-40 or something to lube it up. Works fine, now.