Why is my emergency brake light on all the time?!?

Question

My brake is obviously not on or I couldn't drive. The emergency brake works but the light won't go off.

Answer 1

Hi! Have you tried engaging the emergency brake again? And you're sure it does work fine? best way to find out, is put your car on a fairly steep hill, press the brakes, engage your emergency brake, put the car in neutral, and release your regular brakes. if it moves AT ALL you need to have your emergency brakes checked. depending on the type of car you have, it may be low fluid, it may be a sensor not lining up, and it may be that your emergency brakes are fried and you need to get them fixed. Fran said that it may be that your brakes arent' fully disengaged, and that could very well be. either way, somethign should click when you disengage them, your pull handle should click back down when you lower it, or your pedal should pop back up and click when you pull the lever.

I had a car once that did the same thing because you had to pull the lever all the way out to disengage it.

Older models have cables that run to one or two wheels to help keep the car from moving. Newer models it's part of the main brake system. two of my pickups you can walk right up to the side of them and you can take the entire e-brake off the truck without having to get under them.

Also, one more thing, you are sure that it's the emergency brake light,,, a big red 'P' in a circle (or something similar) and not the abs light, right? If it's the abs light (usually yellow) you need to get your car to the shop immediately. Numerous dangers if it's your abs system.

Good luck!!!!
Gotta love cars!!

Good luck, honey!!

Answer 2

Emergency Brake Light On

Answer 3

You either have stuck brake light switch (on the hand / emergency brake) or worse yet your emergency brake are actually stuck (even if you put down your hand brakes). You may not notice it much if your rear brakes are worn and it isn't doing much. But still it is dangerous given it can get hot and cause the brake fluids to boil (major brake failure).

But my guess is that if the lights are on and you don't feel a drag, the switch is stuck in the ON position. Some switches are at the handle others are at the brake (rear).

This is a safety item and should be taken are of immediately.

===
Some people here are saying you should check your fluid level. While it doesn't cost anything much to do so, I don't believe this is your case. It has been my experience that when the fluid is low, the light goes on ONLY when you apply the brake.

===
Don't forget to vote for the BEST ANSWER - please - whoever it may be.

FACT: You also get +3 points when you vote for BEST ANSWER

Answer 4

This applies ONLY to the emergency brake. Not the foot activated brakes you use every time you stop or slow the vehicle. Most often the EMERGENCY BRAKE is activated via a cable system. When you pull up on the E-brake handle or step on the E-brake pedal a system of cables ( usually 3 cables) apply the E-brake via this manual system. The cables tighten and apply brake pressure (usually on the rear brakes) for stopping when there is a brake failure in the hydraulic braking system. These two systems operate independently of each other. One is fully mechanical, and one is a closed hydraulic system. The e-brake indicator light applies ONLY TO THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. The hydraulic system has another warning light separately, in MOST systems. The E-brake light is manually operated by activating the foot control OR by pulling up on an lever. If part of the e-brake system is broken,rusted, or stuck because of one of these related causes, the light may stay on, and of course if the actual switch is damaged or faulty it may stay on, and will need replacing, or repair.

Answer 5

Typically the emergency brake light and the brake light are the same light. You may have a problem with you primary brake system.

Check you brake fluid level to be sure it is not below the minimum level recommended. You may have a leak, so it is recommended that you get your brakes checked out as well.

Other possible causes could be as simple as the sensors not aligning up correctly. When the emergency brake is released, two sensors need to be aligned to tell the light to go off. It could be as simple as these two sensors not being in alignment with each other anymore and you just need to adjust them.

Answer 6

I am assuming you have a pull hand brake! If you have foot emergency brake, the same applies!
On the foot brake there is a switch that may have loosen up causing it to stay lit, it is behind the brake. it is on the lower left side, there it may be a loose wire or the switch is loose.
On the hand pull type brake that is next to you lower right side. there is a switch underneath the pull, you may have to remove the center console to either adjust it or replace it. .Normally the switch will loosen up, adjust it and tighten the screw holding it. As you pull the hand brake, one click at a time, move the switch until the light goes out then tighten the switch very tight, that should resolve it

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why is my emergency brake light on all the time?!?
My brake is obviously not on or I couldn't drive. The emergency brake works but the light won't go off.

Answer 8

Hey Kitty Toes !
To my shame, I had the same problem on my brand new
car 2 yrs ago. The brake light was always on ! I
brought to the mechanic and he laughed at me !
Apparantely, my daughter had lifted up the hand brake
and didn't put it down properly !
I had looked at the hand brake, but it seemed to be in
it's place to me !
Hugs,

Answer 9

Take your foot and pull up on the brake sometimes that works.

Answer 10

if you have checked and ruled out brake problems, and low fluid...try to disconnect your battery cables for a few minutes to reset the light.

if you get the light off, and it comes back on, you should take it to a mechanic to find out what is triggering it.