Emergency brake light

dannmarr · #1 08-28-2005, 08:33 AM

My emergency brake light always goes on when I start the car. The brake is off, but the light is on. It stays on until I restart the car after a long drive. It seems to happen only in the mornings. Any ideas?

n00b on demand · #2 08-28-2005, 08:51 AM

brake fluid......open the resevoir in the engine bay...and close it....the light should go off after that. Sometimes its a little sensitive.

ensteele · #3 08-28-2005, 10:34 AM

While doing that, if it is low, fill it up. I have heard that this happens when the fluid is just a little low. If there is room, add a little more fluid. When the fluid warms up after your drive, it expands and the light goes off. When the fluid cools overnight, it contracts and it will read low. Hope this helps.

dannmarr · #4 08-30-2005, 09:25 PM

The brake fluid was just a little under the FULL mark. Filled it up and the problem was solved. Thanks for your help. Some questions; Why does the brake fluid affect the emergency brake light indicator? Doesn't the emergency brake work off a cable?

n00b on demand · #5 08-30-2005, 11:03 PM

Hey earl i think you should put this in the how to section. It seems to be a recurring problem for the SVX. Ive noticed it happening alot since i got mine....to other people that is. Happened to me twice the the fix was just what i posted before.

oab_au · #6 08-31-2005, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannmarr

The brake fluid was just a little under the FULL mark. Filled it up and the problem was solved. Thanks for your help. Some questions; Why does the brake fluid affect the emergency brake light indicator? Doesn't the emergency brake work off a cable?

The reservoir has a magnetic float in it that operates a reed switch under it, to bring on the E brake light, when the fluid is low. Just saved another light I guess. The rubber bellows can hold the float down to bring on the light, just opening the top and folding the bellows back up, will turn the light off.

Harvey.

dannmarr · #7 08-31-2005, 09:54 PM

So the emergency brake light indicator is used for (1) the emergency brake and (2) the brake fluid. So when I saw the light, it was for the fluid for the brakes , not for the emergency light. Your right, they saved a light. Thanks.

ensteele · #8 08-31-2005, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannmarr

So the emergency brake light indicator is used for (1) the emergency brake and (2) the brake fluid. So when I saw the light, it was for the fluid for the brakes , not for the emergency light. Your right, they saved a light. Thanks.

That is correct.

soobiesvx93 I will type up something and put it in the brake section.

b3lha · #9 09-01-2005, 02:40 AM

My light was on most of the time, even when the fluid was over the full mark. A complete change of fluid fixed it. I think when the fluid gets old it conducts the magnetism better (microscopic metal particles in it?) so the reed switch gets closed even though the float is at the top of it's travel.

I'm using DOT5.1 brake fluid now, which should work better than DOT4. Can't say for sure because I'm using cheap pads at the moment.

n00b on demand · #10 09-01-2005, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ensteele

That is correct.

soobiesvx93 I will type up something and put it in the brake section.

Cool earl

kuoh · #11 09-01-2005, 07:30 PM

I don't think you could ever get enough metal particles in the fluid to falsely activate the switch. More than likely, the rubber bladder at the top of your cap was out of position and pushing the float down. If the light goes out when the cap is off, then this is your problem.

Correct position
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/files/kuoh/6610.JPG

Incorrect position
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/files/kuoh/6609.JPG

KuoH

Quote:

Originally Posted by b3lha

My light was on most of the time, even when the fluid was over the full mark. A complete change of fluid fixed it. I think when the fluid gets old it conducts the magnetism better (microscopic metal particles in it?) so the reed switch gets closed even though the float is at the top of it's travel.