iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

My daughter has my 2000 RX and she called from college and said the light in the dash for the parking brake does not go off. She knows the brake is disengaging since she can drive with no problems or smoke coming from the rear. I suspect it is the switch. Since I do not have the car in my possession I wanted to know where the switch is and how to change it.

blueridge

Check the brake fluid level. Even if it's slightly low it will cause this.

carguy07

From the pic in my manual it looks like an old school plunger type switch mounted with one screw in the middle of the mechanism. Probably the only thing in there with a wire coming off of it. You could disconnect it and see if that makes the light go out (or short it, not sure which way it works, but you won't hurt anything with the circuit open or closed).

Like blueridge said, check the fluid level first and see if it's low. If the fluid is full and the switch does not look like the problem you might want to see if there is a bobber in the reservoir that is stuck. I have had other cars that the bobber would need bumped to free it up. I would just stick a dowel rod into the reservoir and move it around a little.

Raoul

Pretty common for drivers who normally don't use the parking brake to due so when they parked on a hill.

Parking on hill also angles the vehicle enough so that a borderline brake fluid level trips the Brake Light.

I vote for low brake fluid.

MarkG2000

It's the pads which when low cause the brake fluid to be used more for the
pressure to apply on the brake.

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

Brake fluid was low. Thanks guys.

salimshah

Reason for brake fluid to level to fall is:
a) Leak [abnormal]
b) Compensate for the wear in pads [Normal]


I would suggest having the pads examined.


Salim