Very icy here in Ohio these days...I was negotiating a turn in a mostly empty parking lot, and didn't think much of it when the back end skated around. Problem is that the red Parking Brake light on the dashboard came on...and it stayed on the rest of the drive into work.

Should I be worried??

Anyone know what turns this light on?? I don't use the parking brake...haven't for many months.

 

Check your brake fluid. You might need some. If it isn't that then it might be the little switch under the center console next to the parking brake. That might be stuck

 

The Parking Break light is also the indicator light that there is something wrong with the breaking system. That's why the light says "BREAK" and underneath has "(P)(!)" so the light has 2 purposes. You may have caused a leak somewhere, there is a sensor in the distribution block thing below the master cylinder that is like a little plunger that will move out of place and trip the sensor when the flow of brake fluid is flowing irregularly(more fluid to the front or rear) which would indicate a leak somewhere in the system.

 

Thanks for the tip!

I hate "universal codes" but I supposed I could have read the manual, huh!

Will check fluids and the somewhat corroded line to the rear brakes...assuming that the 4" of snow forecasted isn't that bad!

 

Your proportion valve could be bad too

 

how do i get to this

 

bled brakes checked the parking brake switch so i guess i can rule that its the proportion valve? when it first came on i was pulling my jet ski and rear brakes were shot, road was wet and my front brakes locked up coming to a stop sign. put new rear brakes and the light still wont go off

 

What is that that small electrics part near brake reservoir underhood called ? When I disconnect it . The dash board brake light goes out. when reconnected it stays on. I want it to function and stay off. The brakes have all been redneck but that light stays on !

 

You need a new proportioning valve had the same problem

 

First of all How are the brakes working? Do they feel like they should or does it feel like the back or the front are grabbing more then the others? It can be something as simple ad adjusting the rear brakes with the adjusting star. Check that before you start throwing parts at it. Of my 40 years of working in all kinds of vehicles it is rare to see the proportioning valve go out. Yes they do but not often.