"BRAKE" light stays lit after e-brake released ---

[alwayscode390]

Re: "BRAKE" light stays lit after e-brake released ---

You guys are going to laugh, because I did.

I took off the master cylinder cover ... filled it up ... hopped back in the truck and lightly pushed the pedal 3 times ... got out and HOLY SHIT the entire engine bay, front end, and both fenders were full of fluid; lets call this the POOR MANS FLUID SWAP HAHAH.

I refilled it, then with the cap on, got in and pushed the pedal 3 times ... the light went off.

Must have been low fluid?! Thanks for the tips, it will help in the future ---

 

[sly dvl]

Re: "BRAKE" light stays lit after e-brake released ---

I'm not laughing...

...the light was on because you lost pressure in 1/2 the system, because the fluid was gone. Filling up the master only brought the pressure back temporarily. It didn't fix the original problem, which is a leak. Aren't you curious where the fluid went?

Stop fooling around with your brakes and FIND THE LEAK! :rant: We don't need another Sy written off, or the driver.

 

[gkrcr882]

Re: "BRAKE" light stays lit after e-brake released ---

^^ X2, brake fluid doesn't just disappear or evaporate. Find the leak. Also, make sure you put the cap back on the master cylinder next time before pushing the brake pedal. Get the truck up on a lift or high on 4 stands, pull the wheels off and have an assistant pump the brake while you look for a leak. Also, pull the rear drums off and *gently* pull back the boots on the wheel cylinders to see if they are leaking (Warning: DO NOT push the brake pedal with the drums off, or the wheel cylinders WILL blow out!). Most common places for lines to rust and leak are on the rear axle and up in the frame. If/when you find the leak, replace as much line as you need to until you hit good, solid line. If in doubt, go farther. Brakes are no joke, good luck!

 

[alwayscode390]

Re: "BRAKE" light stays lit after e-brake released ---

Yeah, my brake light AND the ABS light are on now, after driving it about 20 miles. You guys are right, I need to keep it parked until I find the leak .... thanks ---

 

[alwayscode390]

Re: "BRAKE" light stays lit after e-brake released ---

OK, could it sound reasonable that I NOW have air in the brake lines from pumping the brakes with the cap off .... I expected the result to be SUCKED IN fluid ... not PUSHED OUT fluid.

I am sure it sucked air in. What do you think? ---

 

[sly dvl]

Re: "BRAKE" light stays lit after e-brake released ---

I guarantee you have air in the system. Not from your cap being off though, but rather from the master running dry because of the leak.