Emergency Brake / Parking Brake

[Kach]

Since I bought my 2003 Turbo Diesel about 2 years ago, the parking brake light on the dash has been on constantly. I tried changing out the switch on the pedal but no luck. After a few too many times of not releasing the brake, I think the parking brake shoes are toast (hard to tell that it's on with all that torque)! I will be replacing them sometime soon, but I would like to get that pesky light to function properly to prevent the same thing from happening.

Any ideas on how to get the light to function properly?

Does anyone know of a good write-up on the procedure for changing the parking brake pads? TDR article?

 

[p-Bar]

You can tighten up the cable look next to the frame drivers side

 

[Kach]

Yeah, I haven't got around to that yet and I'm worried the pads are smoked anyways - pedal can go to the floor with nothing.

I'd really like to figure out the parking brake dash light, but I'm kind of out of ideas!

 

[p-Bar]

I've noticed if it's out of adjustment a small amt the light will come on.

 

[rscurtis]

Yeah, I haven't got around to that yet and I'm worried the pads are smoked anyways - pedal can go to the floor with nothing.

I'd really like to figure out the parking brake dash light, but I'm kind of out of ideas!

The parking brake shoes have nothing to do with your brake pedal. The brake light will flash when the parking brake is applied, and will illuminate if you have a hydraulic system failure, such as a bad master or leaky caliper. The fact that you can push the pedal to the floor indicates that type of problem. That's where I'd start looking.

 

[B.G. Smith]

The parking brake switch completes the circuit from the light on dash to ground when it is closed. You should be able to put the light out by depressing the plunger, if not disconnect the wire. I suspect the light you are seeing is the ABS light. bg

 

[rscurtis]

The ABS light is a separate amber light in the cluster. ABS failure will also illuminate the brake light.

 

[FOXY005]

My parking brake light stays on also after releasing the brake. The PB shoes are only a year old and hold very well.
After releasing the parking brake If I pull the parking brake release handle up and reach down with the other hand and pull up on the parking brake pedal it will move up maybe a half inch to an inch and the light will go off and stay off until I apply the parking brake again.
It's a PITA but it turns the annoying light off.
If there is an adjustmet that can be made to eliminate this PITA please post it.

 

[Kach]

The parking brake shoes have nothing to do with your brake pedal. The brake light will flash when the parking brake is applied, and will illuminate if you have a hydraulic system failure, such as a bad master or leaky caliper. The fact that you can push the pedal to the floor indicates that type of problem. That's where I'd start looking.

I meant the parking brake pedal goes to the floor, not the regular brake pedal.

The parking brake previously worked fine - I just toasted the parking brake pads a few too many times due to the light not turning off (so I forgot to release the parking brake). It's funny how hard it is to notice that the brake is on against the diesel torque! Lifting the parking brake pedal doesn't turn the light of. I would like to get the parking brake light to function properly, but I guess I may have to settle for disconnecting the circuit. I'm going to try to adjust the cable when I get a chance.

 

[p-Bar]

My parking brake light stays on also after releasing the brake. The PB shoes are only a year old and hold very well.
After releasing the parking brake If I pull the parking brake release handle up and reach down with the other hand and pull up on the parking brake pedal it will move up maybe a half inch to an inch and the light will go off and stay off until I apply the parking brake again.
It's a PITA but it turns the annoying light off.
If there is an adjustmet that can be made to eliminate this PITA please post it.

Crawl under the truck driver side along the frame you will see your emergency brake cable follow it down to where it Y's off there you can take the slack out of the cable

 

[Bob4x4]

Do not adjust the cable till after you have adjusted the park brake shoes! The park brake warning light is another issue

 

[Bob4x4]

ADJUSTMENT
NOTE: Tensioner adjustment is only necessary when the tensioner, or a cable has been replaced or disconnected for service. When adjustment is necessary, perform adjustment only as described in the following procedure. This is necessary to avoid faulty park brake operation.

Raise the vehicle.
Back off the cable tensioner adjusting nut to create slack in the cables.
Remove the rear wheel/tire assemblies. Then remove the brake rotors (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS - REMOVAL).
Verify the brakes are in good condition and operating properly.
Verify the park brake cables operate freely and are not binding, or seized.
Check the rear brake shoe adjustment with standard brake gauge (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/PARKING BRAKE/SHOES - ADJUSTMENTS).
Install the rotors (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS - INSTALLATION) and verify that the rotors rotate freely without drag.
Install the wheel/tire assemblies, (Refer to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
Lower the vehicle enough for access to the park brake foot pedal. Then fully apply the park brakes.
NOTE: Leave park brakes applied until adjustment is complete.

Raise the vehicle again.
Mark the tensioner rod 6.35 mm (1/4 in.) from edge of the tensioner (Adjustment Mark).
Tighten the adjusting nut on the tensioner rod until the mark is no longer visible.
CAUTION: Do not loosen, or tighten the tensioner adjusting nut for any reason after completing adjustment.

Lower the vehicle until the rear wheels are 15-20 cm (6-8 in.) off the shop floor.
Release the park brake foot pedal and verify that rear wheels rotate freely without drag. Then lower the vehicle.

 

[p-Bar]

Well funny I adjusted mine at the cable and works fine . Must be one of these dealer money makers:-laf

 

[Bob4x4]

There is usually the right way and the other way..........do as you please I will continue to do the right way