Hey guys, a few days ago, the "Brake" indicator light on my instrument panel of my 98 XJ came on, and it won't turn off. My handbrake was not on when the light turned on, nor is the handbrake actually activated. Does anyone have any advice on how to solve this, or have similar problems?

 

Did you check the brake fluid in the Master cylinder. A low condition can cause the light to come on. If it is low then you can top it off but you should also check your brakes all around. Thin brake pads would require the caliper pistons to be extended further which would mean more fluid in the calipers and less in the master. Start by checking the fluid and go from there.

 

Thanks for the advice, here is what I found; The fluid level was a kinda low, so I topped it off, but the light is still on. Any more suggestions?

 

emergency brake level/handle.

try moving it around....

 

lol... it wasnt "random" im sure... if its the "brake" light... the same one that comes on when you stick the brake on then its got something to do with your parking brake... theres a single wire that runs to it and connects under all the plastic... my guess is that its a ground... if you pull up the handle it grounds it and the light comes on because it has constant power... so i would say something is bad there or that wire is grounded somewhere...

i vote black electrical tape over the light

 

haha thanks for the suggestion. I'll be sure to look into it, probably tomorrow if I get a chance. I'll let you guys know if it works.

 

Sorry I haven't gotten around to posting here, I've been super busy lately. Anyway, I checked that wire, and all seems to be well, but the light is still on. I tried adjusting the wire, and disconnecting it completely, the light is still on. At this point, I'm considering just taking out the bulb behind that "brake" indicator. Any more suggestions from you guys?

 

anyone care to chime in with any advice?

 

you are sure when the fluid was low air didnt get into your lines? when it came on did your pedal get spongy or did you lose braking power? if it did then you need to bleed your brake system that should turn off the light.

 

I second checking the brake system. The light turns on to let you know the parking brake is on AND to alert you of a malfunction in the brake system, it's possible it's only a bad switch on the proportioning valve but if it's a bad line or wheel cylinder or the like it will need attention. Tape over the light won't help you stop when the brakes quit

 

Could be a master cylinder taking a crap to. My light came on a couple weeks ago. Checked the park brake handle master cylinder level. But the brakes would build up then if you just held steddy pressure on the peddle it would slowly go back to the floor. Might be worth a try. Its easy to check.

 

Brake light coming on is bad. Since you all rerady checked the brake handle switch, did you check the connector ontop of the prop valve, sometimes if you are messing around with stuff inside engine box that will come off.


Otherwise get under your rig and check every inch of it for a leak. Not having properly functioning brakes is not only endangering you, but every one else on the road.

 

So you're in Michigan, right? Must be real cold there right now. I know with my other car sometimes the light will stay on when it's really cold. After a while it will go out. It ONLY happens when it's really cold. I assume somewhere in the brake cable it's frozen just enough that it doesn't disengage the switch fully that makes the light come on. Does the brake lever feel stiffer or stickier than usual?