Home page
SPONSOR AD

Support our Vendors!  |  Advertise Here

Topic: Dash Brake Light

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


Already a Member?
Login
Not yet a Member?
Register for Free!

Dash Brake Light (1/8)
 6/8/09 8:09pm
Pappy's Toy
Former Member

Send Private Message

WILLIAMSTOWN, KY - USA

Vette(s):
Silver Anniversary 1978, L82?, 4-speed


Joined: 12/5/2002
Posts: 131

The brake light on my dash came on and will not go out. I check the master cylinder resivor. Itwas a little low in the back chamber which I topped off. I have checked the switch on the brake peddle and  the parking brake and they are fine. This happened before and I bled the brakes and pressed hard on the peddle and the light went out. the light had stayed out until I recently had to quickly hit the brakes and the light came back on. I'm wondering if I have a bad proportioning valve. Anyone else have this problem or have any ideas?
 
Thanks, Jim


______________
Pappy's Toy
Our Sponsors help support C3VR
Dash Brake Light (2/8)
 6/8/09 11:08pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

How are the brakes?
The lights will only come on if the system has a problem on one end(an imbalance from front to rear), the wire(for the switch) is grounded/shorted, or the park brake is on.
If it came on when you had to get on the brake hard, most likely there is air in the brake system. It's possible the p-valve is faulty, but that's not all that common...it's actually pretty rare. I'd lean towards having air in the system at this point.



______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Dash Brake Light (3/8)
 6/9/09 7:04am
lukesvetteLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.


Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

Do you use the parking brake often? I'd also check the switch for the e-brake. Once had a gummed up switch that got stuck in the on position....
Dash Brake Light (4/8)
 6/9/09 12:09pm
aceintheholeLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Manteca, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed


Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623

The proportioning valve is no easy change out, but checking it is. With a rear tire off, slip a feeler blade between the brake pad and the rotor and have someone step on the brake. If you can pull out the blade the valve is bad. Joel is right (of course), a sticking piston in one of the calipers or air in the lines can cause the light to stay on. 

______________

Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
                             Click to see larger views!

Dash Brake Light (5/8)
 6/14/09 9:25am
Pappy's Toy
Former Member

Send Private Message

WILLIAMSTOWN, KY - USA

Vette(s):
Silver Anniversary 1978, L82?, 4-speed


Joined: 12/5/2002
Posts: 131

I have not been able to get on the site for a few days, thanks for the replies. The more I think about it, the more I think the the p-valve may be ok. I will try the things you all have recommended and let you know the outcome. The brakes seem to be working ok, altough I seem to be loosing some fluid somewhere. I use the parking brake and the light would come on and go out as it should before the light started staying on.
 
Jim


______________
Pappy's Toy
Dash Brake Light (6/8)
 6/14/09 10:59am
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

[QUOTE=Jim]The brakes seem to be working ok, although I seem to be loosing some fluid somewhere. [/QUOTE]

Find the leak, and you've found the problem.
Be sure to unbolt the master cylinder from the booster, and see if fluid is leaking from the rear of the master...fairly common issue, but next to impossible to find unless you look. Most folks only look around the wheels/calipers for leaks...


______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Dash Brake Light (7/8)
 6/14/09 11:45am
rraider1
Former Member

Send Private Message

Woodland, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1977 T-Top,350,Auto Black Ruby Pearl,Steeroids R&P conversion


Joined: 10/14/2003
Posts: 1165

There should be other post on the issue of rotor run out. if you find no leaks this could be a cause. I have not been able to fix mine yet I quess I will need new rotors. I need to bleed my brakes at about every 1000 to 2000 miles. simply if the rotor run out is off with our brakes it makes the pistons move in and out fast and they tend to suck air, you will notice after a bleed nice firm brake pedal the over time the pedal becomes mushy then one day you push on the brakes and the brake light will come on for the unequal pressure. You bleed, things are fine for awhile
Dash Brake Light (8/8)
 6/20/09 9:57pm
eddie20875Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Lanoka Harbor, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1975 metallic blue coupe with t-tops,L48, t/t steering, black leather interior. 1990 L98, white/red leather interior, auto,a/c


Joined: 12/21/2006
Posts: 828

if it was the p-valve you wouldn't have equal pressure between front and back. my p-valve went on my 75 and i am waiting for it to come in (backordered). when i stepped on the brake it felt like no pedal and the front brakes were locking up. pulled it out and was checking it out and it has what looks like a small freeze out plug (which was not there). 

______________
LIFETIME MEMBER #97
THE DYNAMIC DUO


Our Sponsors help support C3VR