Parking brake light stays on when driving

[dj26]

Hi all,

Recently i had my e-brake light come on when the car starts. The e-brake handle is all the way down. My brake fluid is half way. In order to turn of the notification i have to play around with the e-brake by pressing the button that's on it and lift the handle a few times. After that it never comes on until next day. Any ideas how to fix this or whats causing the light to come on ? Thank you.

[cipher93]

Sounds like the switch itself may be worn. Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery and give it five minutes, the trim piece by the switch is right next to your air bag control unit. You can take the rear piece of the center console trim off by removing the two screws under the arm rest/in the storage area, and remove the screws on the left and ride side where it slides onto the console piece around the shifter (Crappy description I know). You'll see the switch around where the black "shroud" is on the bottom of the parking brake handle. Sorry again for the lame description, it's been quite a long time since I've hand to deal with it. You can try cleaning around the switch, but IIRC it's the sealed plastic type so you'll likely need to replace it. Hopefully someone can post a better description.

[pchalpin]

I think you may find that you need new brakes. There is a sensor that turns the e-brake light on when your brakes are badly used up.

[BoyYota]

Originally Posted by pchalpin

I think you may find that you need new brakes. There is a sensor that turns the e-brake light on when your brakes are badly used up.

Interesting. Do you know if this works for both rear and front brakes? I don't have this and I'm fairly certain that I have nearly no rear brakes left due to e-brake being super weak and feeling that sort of 'push' coming from the rear when I'm braking.

[mvftw]

Do you have anti-lock??? That will trip it. But low fluid will also trip it...do the basics first...

[dj26]

Originally Posted by mvftw

Do you have anti-lock??? That will trip it. But low fluid will also trip it...do the basics first...

Nope no anti-lock. I have 93 corolla base model. Only option I'm left with is that my brakes are old and need to be replaced...

[cipher93]

Brakes being old is possible, but I would still check the switch to be sure. If it's something to do with the brakes themselves/fluid, it won't go out by jiggling the parking brake.