Re: Parking Brake Light Problem

[Chuck Van Pelt <cvanpelt@aracnet.com>]

Mitch,

That light comes one not only when your parking brake is on, but also when low
brake pressure is detected in one of your brake circuits. It is possible that
you have a leak in one of your hydraulic brake circuits that is causing the
light to come on when you presurize the system by applying the brakes. Also
could be a bad master cylinder.

Check your brake fluid reservoir to see if the fluid is low. Also, check behind
each wheel for dribbles of brake fluid.

Another thought...my GLX has sensors in the brake pads that tell you when they
have worn past their safety limit. I'll bet this is your problem. When you hit
the brakes hard, it's enough to complete/break the sensor circuit and turn on
the brake light.

Hope this helps.

Chuck Van Pelt

Mitch Gordon wrote:

> When I come to a hard or even not so hard stop in my car, the parking brake
> light on the dashboard comes on. Once the car is stopped the light goes off.
> This has recently started happening. The car is a 1996 Jetta GLX with about
> 33,000 miles on it. The suspension, brakes, wheels and tires are totally
> stock. Has anyone out there had this problem before or does anyone have an
> idea as to what might be causing this?
>
> Thanks,
> Mitch

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c h u c k  v a n  p e l t
w e b  d e v e l o p e r

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