2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Parking brake light stays on, Cruise Control doesnt work???

[coadman]

I 've just purchased a 1997 3500 4x4 with a cummins 5 speed. I knew there were a few "items" that needed repaired, but I negotiated them into the purchase price, and decided I could fix them myself. Number 1, is the parking brake light will not go off, it stays on all the time. The parking brake is fully released, but light stays on. I even manually triggered the switch located at the top of the parking brake pedal, but it made no differance in the light, it stayed lit. Parking brake does work fine when it is engaged, and fully releases. I dont have a service manual yet(I have one ordered) so didnt know what to check. I have had some suggestions from others in other forums ,but so far nothing has helped. Number 2 problem, is the cruise control doesnt work. When the on/off button is depressed on the steering wheel, the CC light beside it "flickers" once, then goes out. If it would stay on, then I could test the cruise on the road to see if it worked, and if not, then probabaly start looking for the vacuum leak, people have said develops beneath the battery. But when the light not staying on, I didnt feel the need to check the battery area, yet. It has been suggested to remove the steering wheel cover(I dont know how, yet), and check the "keypad" or "switches" for a faulty and/or broken wire. Does anybody have anything to add to this problem?

thanks,

coadman

 

[MKinner]

i would try and disconnect the park brake switch. if it is stuck closed, the light will stay on and your cruise control will be inop.

 

[coadman]

i would try and disconnect the park brake switch. if it is stuck closed, the light will stay on and your cruise control will be inop.

I tried that last night, unplugged the wire, and the light still stayed on, does that tell you anything differant?

thanks,

coadman

 

[MKinner]

i sent you a PM

 

[jtwcummins]

GENERAL INFORMATION

In the Rear Wheel Antilock (RWAL) brake system, as in other brake systems, the brake warning lamp (red) is used to alert the driver of a hydraulic fault or that the parking brake is applied. However, in the RWAL system, the brake warning lamp is also used to alert the driver that there is a problem with the RWAL system. There is also an ABS warning lamp (amber). The ABS warning lamp is only used to alert the driver of RWAL malfunctions and to identify Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) stored in the Controller Antilock Brake (CAB) memory.

The red warning lamp is in circuit with the parking brake switch and pressure differential switch in the combination valve. The red lamp illuminates when the parking brakes are applied, or when a pressure drop occurs in the front or rear brake hydraulic circuit. The lamp illuminates for approximately 2-4 seconds at every engine start up. This is a self test feature designed to check bulb and circuit operation. A pressure drop in the front or rear brake hydraulic circuit activates the pressure differential valve inside the combination valve. A pressure decrease moves the valve toward the low pressure side. As the valve moves, it pushes the pressure differential switch contact plunger upward. This closes the switch internal contacts and completes the circuit to the red warning lamp. The lamp will remain on until repairs are made and normal fluid pressure restored.





From Alldata DIY site.

 

[Fogie]

When my 99 did that, I replaced the brake light switch near the base of the steering column. Fixed the problem immediately.

 

[coadman]

When my 99 did that, I replaced the brake light switch near the base of the steering column. Fixed the problem immediately.

Did you have the "brake Light" problem I mentioned? Or also, the cruise control issue?

coadman

 

[coadman]

I really dont want to just start "throwing" parts at this, I would like to try and troubleshoot the problem, so I can pinpoint it, and verify what the problem may be, so can anybody suggest a "step by step" process of elimination, procedure to follow?

thanks,

coadman

 

[JRichard]

Well, heres the procedure id go through, be it correct or not



1. Verify correct operation of brake lights when brake pedal is applied



2. 4 wires on the brakelight switch control the cruise/brakelights they are in

sets of 2. 2 of them are normally a passthrough to each other when the pedal is depressed, 2 are a passthrough when the pedal is not depressed. The latter are the ones that control the cruise, the former control the brake lights themselves. Verify with a multi-meter that these work this way.



3. Remove the plug from the e-brake switch and jump a wire across it, see if that corrects the problem.



This is where it starts to get more complicated, and a tech. may have to get involved.



4. Generally speaking when a light of a given type is set it triggers a DTC in the computer, so you could have a tech scan for codes present to see if there is a code for the brake or cruise system also.



Thats pretty much all the information i can give on the subject, sorry if it doesnt help and you waste your time reading it.





Jake

 

[coadman]

Thanks Jake, no waste of time on my part, I'm open to all suggestions? I'm waiting for the arrival of my service manual I ordered so I can kind of see what all of you are talking about. My volt meter played out on me last fall, so I need to purchase another one of those anyway. I'm a farmer/rancher by trade, so I'm used to getting detailed information from my John Deere Service manager to try and fix problems I have on my tractors,combines, etc. I "always" try to fix things myself, before taking things in for a tech to look at, if at all possible. Thanks for everyone for giving me suggestions!

coadman

Jake,

Is the brake switch easy to locate?

 

[JRichard]

Jake,

Is the brake switch easy to locate?

The brake switch is very easy to locate, i lay on my back in the floorwell of the drivers side with my head up near the brake pedal. Follow the "arm" of the brake pedal assembly up to where it meets with a kind of button it pushes when released, this button is actually part of the brake switch up there. On my 99 is a white looking box with about a 6 wire connector on it, its the only electrical component touching the arm of the brake pedal up under the dash.



Jake

 

[BigPapa]

Get you a brake pedal switch. They last me about 100K miles. Be careful when installing it, it is self adjusting and can only be set ONE TIME! Make SURE you don't push the plunger in. Had a buddy of mine pick one up for me once and his kid pushed it all the way in. Needless to say it was useless.



Installation is easy. To remove the old one, follow the brake pedal up with your hand until you feel the switch, grab it and turn it counter-clockwise about a 1/4 turn, then pull it toward the rear of the rear of the truck about an inch and she's out. Unplug the wiring, and plug up the new one. Start the truck up with the parking brake on and depress the brake pedal. Hold it down and put the new switch in the hole and turn it clockwise until it snaps into place(about a 1/4 turn) and let the pedal return to rest. That's it!



Good luck!

Scott

 

[coadman]

I need to run into the Dodge dealership tomorrow, and pick up my window switch(it didnt come in today, their parts "truck" broke down). So I might ask the service manager if he would scan the truck to see if their are any codes related to the brake light being on. Then I will go from there. I would replace the brake pedal switch, if I knew for sure thats what the problem is? Thanks for the replies!!

coadman

 

[BigPapa]

Well, what did you come up with?



Scott

 

[coadman]

I called them, and my window switch hadnt come in,(parts truck broke down enroute), so they told me they would call me when it arrived. We were busy working cattle yesterday(spring break, so sons are home from school), and I didnt get a chance to check on it. I'm sure the parts are in, so hopefully today, I will have time to run up and get them, and have them check the codes. Then, also, maybe my service manual will be in today that I ordered, so I can really get down to the "nit and gritty" on this stuff.

coadman

 

[coadman]

OK, here's what I've found....

I had the dealership check for me, no codes were displayed. When I returned home, I found out my service manual had arrived via UPS(YIPPEE!). After supper, I did a little reading in the brake section, where I found the stop lamp switch, that so many of you had mentioned to me earlier. I took out my multi meter and did the continuity checks on the differant terminals as per instructed in the service manual. I found there to be "no" continuity between the 3 & 4 terminals, but did have continuity between 1 & 2, and also 5 & 6. So, with this in mind, I think I am off to the parts desk in the morning to order me a new switch. With this having the problem with the 3 & 4 terminals, which are supposedly for the speed control circuit, what are the odds that my brake light goes off and my cruise control works after the new install?

thanks,

coadman

 

[BigPapa]

coadman,



I'd bet everything will work after the new switch.



Scott

 

[coadman]

kind of...

I replaced the switch, and the cruise control now works, but my brake light is still on. I read in the service manual to depress the plunger for "4" detents or 4 clicks, which supposedly is the "install" position. I pressed and pressed and couldnt get the plunger to move, and then all at once,"zap" it went down,,,I didnt think too far, thought I heard maybe two clicks, so I went two more, and installed the switch. I pulled the brake back against the plunger, as per instructions, but it really didnt press it in, any further, not where I could hear any "click". When I push on the brake, the plunger goes out, but probably not near enough. So, guess Ill go buy another switch and give it a try,,,,I wonder if I even have to depress the plunger before install, and just let the brake pedal put it in the correct position, when I pull it back?

coadman

 

[BigPapa]

"Get you a brake pedal switch. They last me about 100K miles. Be careful when installing it, it is self adjusting and can only be set ONE TIME! Make SURE you don't push the plunger in. Had a buddy of mine pick one up for me once and his kid pushed it all the way in. Needless to say it was useless.



Installation is easy. To remove the old one, follow the brake pedal up with your hand until you feel the switch, grab it and turn it counter-clockwise about a 1/4 turn, then pull it toward the rear of the rear of the truck about an inch and she's out. Unplug the wiring, and plug up the new one. Start the truck up with the parking brake on and depress the brake pedal. Hold it down and put the new switch in the hole and turn it clockwise until it snaps into place(about a 1/4 turn) and let the pedal return to rest. That's it!"



Remember these instructions? DO NOT DEPRESS THE SWITCH!!! Follow these instructions.



Scott

 

[coadman]

thanks Scott

I think I will follow your instructions on the next switch, rather than what the service manual said, but I imagine that will fix my light also.

coadman