Author Topic: Simple Brake light question (Read 330 times)

hawkdriver · « **on:** March, 13, 2010, 09:28:26 PM »

This should be a simple one. I have a brake warning light coming on , on my console, not exactly sure of the wording Brake warning, alert, because im not currently looking at it none the less a red advisory light in my console regardless of the gear im in or parking brake being on or off, anyone know the source or problem. (69 coupe)

Thanks in advances

Sluggo · « **Reply #1 on:** March, 14, 2010, 05:53:44 AM »

Check to make sure the switch on the distribution block is plugged in to start with.
If I remember correctly, I think I'm running mine unplugged because the switch is bad. I'm not in position to go look at the car.

AzPete · « **Reply #2 on:** March, 14, 2010, 05:59:10 AM »

As said....check the switch. If that is good, you may have to bleed one side or the other of the brake system to get the switch to re-center itself.

gt289 · « **Reply #3 on:** March, 14, 2010, 07:37:53 AM »

When servicing these cars "back in the day" and bleeding the brakes, we used to remove
the switch and use tools like these to keep the switch centered. Actually a helluva lot
easier than recentering the valve....

PJ Moran · « **Reply #4 on:** March, 23, 2010, 07:16:17 AM »

In a '68, there's a switch in the distribution block that closes if you lose pressure in either your front or rear systems. This makes the light come on hopefully telling you to check your system for failure. I bet '69's re the same. If you find something wrong (blown cylinder, broken line, leaky fitting, etc.), then the light did its job.

Fix the problem and re-center the warning light valve in the distribution block. That's where the fun starts. I have the instructions somewhere. If I can find them, I'll post them.

The brake function is unaffected by an "un-centered" switch valve. If you don't want to mess with re-centering it, just disconnect the switch and the light will go out. Ran mine for years that way because I didn't know how to re-center the valve.

Rob Z · « **Reply #5 on:** March, 23, 2010, 11:21:13 AM »

Boy, you got to love those little "Break Warning" lights.

A few years back I was coming to a intersection. The traffic light changed to Red. I pressed on the break pedel and felt a thump in the car, heard a bang and then saw massive quanities of smoke poring from the right front. The pedel went full to the floor. No breaks due to the right front cylinder blowing out. Just after all that happened the "Break Warning" light came on to let me know I had a break problem.