Emergency brake light switch

[MootPoint]

[kamzcab86]

[Landsailer]

I have an issue with the brake light that I could use some help with. The light worked (as far as I know) perfectly before I messed with it. I needed switched power to run the new check engine light and oil level light with the Zetec conversion. I checked the incoming power for the brake light switch in the dash and found a switched power lead that was always on (accept when key is off). I tapped into that to run the two low amperage lights. The switches for the lights are the ECU and a sensor in the oil pan; both complete the circuit by connecting to ground. Yes, I installed an inline fuse for this setup. My theory was that if they all were supplied power off of the switch hot for the brake light, they could individually ground out at their switch and each would operate independently. Well, this worked. The ECU light comes on when you turn the key on, but not over to engage starter and it goes off when the engine fires up; the other two stay off. The oil light comes on when the oil is drained; the other two stay off. The ECU light and the oil light come on when the key is turned on and the oil is drain; the E brake light is off. The problem is that the E Brake light now ONLY comes on when the starter is engaged. I can turn the key on and no light while pushing the button under the handbrake in and out. I can drive around pushing the button in and out, no light. It only comes on when the starter is cranking the engine over. My question is how is this possible considering the other two lights work exactly like they are supposed to when they are supposed to?

Begin novice automotive electrical bashing. I can take it.

[Landsailer]

bump

[stevey88]

[Landsailer]

Will do. Just so you are aware, the wire I tapped was the black wire on the back of the plug. I tested with a multimeter prior to the work, and it test out exactly as it was supposed to.

[rubbachicken]

[rubbachicken]

so i pulled the dash pod apart, the center cluster where the led's are, could take another, anyone not using the OXS led i think both led's can be used

there's a small black plug that'll come out

finding the wire in the multi plug in the ribbon connector that feeds the OXS light should be easy enough, snip that and splice into the brake wire then it's just a matter of renaming the OXS label in the console

the next bit below this, the top bit of the two is blocked off by the bottom of the small console above

the one below that could be used, there is space in there for a small light bulb or a couple of led's

too dark to play now, i think it might be worth a shot though
_________________
lucy our westy

lucy's BIG adventure

meet 'burni'


markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310 or 617 935 4182

[Landsailer]

Okay, I pulled the inline fuse and they E brake light still failed to function in the key on position, only in the start position. In addition, I tested the black wire once more, and it's keyed on at 12V and keyed off at nothing. Is it possible that there aren't enough amps on the circuit with the addition of two extra lights to power everything up? Or could it by the E brake light was wired wrong to begin with? What are the wire colors and their positions on the back of the plug? Thanks.

[stevey88]

According to Bentley, there is a red/black wire input to the brake/seat belt module. This red/black wire is fed from the ign switch in the start position. So I took my spare brake/seat belt module apart to look at the circuit inside. There is a transistor to lite up the brake switch when you are starting the car. Don't know why VW did that but may be this is a indication for the driver to see if power is applied to the starter solenoid if the starter does not turn when the ign sw is in the start position. I have verified this in my van - release the hand brake and start the car, the brake light come on when I crank the engine.
So there in nothing wrong there, I suggest you pull off the hand brake cover and look at the switch and wire there. You can just ground the wire to see if the brake light come on.

Hope it helps.
_________________
Steve

87 Westfalia full camper 4 speed

[Landsailer]

stevey88, this is why I come to samba. Awesomeness. If you were in Alaska, I would give you a couple of filets of salmon and a bag of ptarmigan breasts (assuming you are a meat-itarian). I will track down the issue in the circuit. Thanks.

[stevey88]

[limedzeze]

I should probably start a new thread, but this seems like a similar enough issue.

84 Vanagon.

My parking brake light won't turn off when I disengage the parking brake.

Furthermore, I ran into a strange issue today where the turn signal LED just stays on, disabling the turn signals and the dash lights, UNLESS I pull the parking brake up one click. The brake doesn't seem engaged at one click so I feel ok driving it like that, however, I'm not sure what to do or where to even start looking. Any ideas?

[koubiak]

I have an 1985 and I don't have the switch for the Emergency break. I am guessing the PO removed it when he redid the carpeting...

Anyhow I can source the switch but I need to find where did the cable. I have not yet open my bentley on the problem. I can see an electrical wiring harness for the driver seatbelt. Should I started digging from there? From reading this thread I guess yes.

Any advice for a this rebuild?

[koubiak]

Nevermind.

The cable there. but the switch was jammed. I unscrewed everything realigned them and hop it is working again.

[vandoka]

I have an '87 Westy and have owned it now since 2002. Recently the parking brake light has been coming on intermittently. I researched some troubleshooting tips, investigated the switch on the floor and it works as it should. Took apart the plug on the light and did not see anything out of order.

When driving with the e-brake off the light will turn on when driving slightly downhill. Then, it turns off when the van gets onto flat ground.

I was curious if there was a ground accessible for this circuit? Or something of the sort that may be affected by a shift in the suspension?
_________________
1987 2wd Westy "Vanny" 2.5 RMW Subaru
1987 Syncro Doka 1.6 TD swapped to AAZ

[DuncanS]

I had two issues with the brake light. First is the getting old thing and forgetting. Second is I can't see it behind the steering wheel. I like all the warning annunciators right in front in the middle--oil light, coolant light and so on. So removed it and the seat belt light--really, we need that? Bought a 12 v blinking red LED and put it in the middle right over the new location of the E flasher switch. The clock never worked when I bought the car 8 years ago. Besides, I have this:

Hard to see, but under St. Christopher and behind the shift lever. An OG dash cluster clock harvested from one of my old T3's without a tach. Thus wound up with space for two extra switches.

Now I can see it and I don't forget. Had driven quite a bit with the the brake on. Not good.

Duncan

[djkeev]

[vandoka]

Dave, You were correct. The brake fluid was quite low. I was not aware of the dual purpose of the e-brake light. Crafty though.
_________________
1987 2wd Westy "Vanny" 2.5 RMW Subaru
1987 Syncro Doka 1.6 TD swapped to AAZ

[stevedaugh]

I know this is an old post, but I have been chasing a similar problem. Started when I noticed dash warning light illuminates when shift lever is in Drive or Netural.

I read in prior postings that only the parking brake or low brake fluid level should illuminate the dash warning light. Parking brake works properly.
I checked the brake fluid level switch by taking it completely out and simulating full and empty. But the warning light does not illuminate. Could I have a faulty fluid level detector?

What could be the issue with the shift lever illuminating the brake warning light?

Any advice appreciated.