cruise control and brake light

[volrath_2001]

this is kinda a strange one when I bought my 92 GT I was told by my sister that the brake light on the dash would almost always stay on and that the cruise control didn't work... but if I ever saw the brake light goes off I would have my cruise I have no idea why this is or if there is a way to fix it. It really isn't that big of a deal just a little annoying if anyone know anything about this please let me know thanks in advance

[es250nut]

The reason the cruise control doesn't work is because it thinks your brake/emergency brake is on. If I had to guess, (which I'm doing) I would say the switch to your emergency/hand Brake is sticking and causing the dash brake light to come on and keeping your CC from engaging. Otherwise your brake lights on the back of the car would also be staying on.

Also double check the brake fluid resevoir, that could also be another reason the "brake" light is coming on.

[cmo]

I have an 89 celica and have the EXACTLY the same problem. (emerg. brake light is on at all speeds above about 10km/hr and cruise doesn't work unless brake light is off which rarely happens) Brake fluid was just checked - was going to take the car in today and see what to do, if it something like the switched sticking, what could this cost to fix it?? did you ever fix yours or you just drive it as is? Anyone can help with an estimate of cost?

[volrath_2001]

I still haven't had it fixed because I have no Idea what it is. if you go and get it fixed let me know what it is thanks in advance

[es250nut]

If it is the handbrake switch, I would figure you could get it for around $30 from the dealer. Or you could go to a wrecking yard and get it for a couple bucks.

Try using some electronic contact cleaner on it, the switch is located on the handbrake frame, you may have to remove the center console to get to it.

[Waghle]

anyone else with this same problem?
i am considering on getting a celica, but i suppose this small problem wont really matter.

[2000GTS]

Originally posted by es250nut
The reason the cruise control doesn't work is because it thinks your brake/emergency brake is on. If I had to guess, (which I'm doing) I would say the switch to your emergency/hand Brake is sticking and causing the dash brake light to come on and keeping your CC from engaging. Otherwise your brake lights on the back of the car would also be staying on.

Also double check the brake fluid resevoir, that could also be another reason the "brake" light is coming on.

this happens on a lot of vehicles. did you have a break job before this started happening?

[Kwanza]

Check your brake fluid resivoir. Low brake fuild can trigger the brake light.

[bill3135]

I'm sure the "brake" referrred to above is the parking brake or handbrake, and the "brake light" is the indicator on the dash that indicates the brake is on. It says "BRAKE" - my wife's 92 Celica Convertible has the same problem, and so I bought a new switch from the dealer ($36 plus tax) and spent hours taking out the center console to expose the handbrake assembly. Sure enough, the old switch was bad according to my ohmmeter - it reads open all the time, while the new one reads open only when depressed. This is a problem; I'm sure the switch normally supplies a ground to the light, allowing it to illuminate, and opens that ground when the handbrake is released, turning off the light - so if the switch is open all the time, the light should never come on. I replaced it anyhow, and sure enough, the light stays on all the time. I took more of the console out, looking for a short in the wiring, but didn't find anything. I'm thinking now that the circuit has to go through some kind of junction box and is tied to something else that isn't working right.

Can anyone help?

[rayban68]

Is it possible to hook the switch up the other way around?

[Gold Bear]

Try un-plugging the electrical connector next to the brake cylinder resevoir.