Brake Light Stays On

Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's, Olds 98 91-96, Buick Lesabres and Park Avenue 91-96. Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.
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Blue_Bonne
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Brake Light Stays On

Post by Blue_Bonne »

My 94 bonneville brake light stays on when im driving and just dings until i cut the car off... my brake fluid is full. When i drive my brake would be off. What could be the problem?
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renchjeep
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Re: Brake Light Stays On

Post by renchjeep »

I am assuming you are talking about the red "brake" warning light on the dash. Here is where I would start:

Sunk float in master cylinder reservoir, bad sensor or wiring/connection at reservoir bottom, parking brake pedal not releasing all the way, bad parking brake warning light switch.
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willwren
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Re: Brake Light Stays On

Post by willwren »

In other words, things that would tell you not to drive the car until it's fixed. It's very likely master cylinder related. Is there any sign of leaking fluid on the booster or down the firewall?
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Blue_Bonne
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Re: Brake Light Stays On

Post by Blue_Bonne »

renchjeep wrote:I am assuming you are talking about the red "brake" warning light on the dash. Here is where I would start:

Sunk float in master cylinder reservoir, bad sensor or wiring/connection at reservoir bottom, parking brake pedal not releasing all the way, bad parking brake warning light switch.

Yea its the brake warning light...

willwren wrote:In other words, things that would tell you not to drive the car until it's fixed. It's very likely master cylinder related. Is there any sign of leaking fluid on the booster or down the firewall?
I have no type of leakage
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skregal
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Re: Brake Light Stays On

Post by skregal »

If you unplug the sensor at the bottom of the master cylinder and the light
goes off, you call rule out the parking brake.

That sensor is built into the master cylinder and cannot be replaced separately,
I believe.

If there are no leaks and level is good, the sensor may be bad.

Mine has been unplugged for 3 years for that reason, but I would
not recommend that, unless you are very in-touch with your vehicle.
Black 95 SSEi (original owner) 238K miles
Black 05 GXP (some idiot put the first 12K on it)186K miles
Black 04 Tahoe (original owner)310K miles
Black 16 Traverse (original owner)90K miles
Black 15 Lacrosse (some nice lady put first 15K on it)43K miles
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Blue_Bonne
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Re: Brake Light Stays On

Post by Blue_Bonne »

so i would have to replace the whole master cylinder if the sensor is bad?
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skregal
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Re: Brake Light Stays On

Post by skregal »

I think that is correct. Someone else should confirm.
Black 95 SSEi (original owner) 238K miles
Black 05 GXP (some idiot put the first 12K on it)186K miles
Black 04 Tahoe (original owner)310K miles
Black 16 Traverse (original owner)90K miles
Black 15 Lacrosse (some nice lady put first 15K on it)43K miles
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"You can have one in any color as long as it's black" - H. Ford
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Blue_Bonne
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Re: Brake Light Stays On

Post by Blue_Bonne »

I love bonnevilles and 3.8s I expect to replace parts on a 94 with 165k but geee... breaking my pockets lol. But I got to do what I got to do.

I still havent found any problems I really dont wanna pay someone to look at it and fix it
Last edited by Blue_Bonne on Tue Oct 26, 2010 11:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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willwren
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Re: Brake Light Stays On

Post by willwren »

You need to measure your master cylinder for length from the flange that attaches it to the firewall. There are two different lengths.

One is 6 7/8", the other is 8". I'd suspect you have the shorter (mine is longer than yours :P) but measure to be sure.
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Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers
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renchjeep
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Re: Brake Light Stays On

Post by renchjeep »

Blue_Bonne wrote:I love bonnevilles and 3.8s I expect to replace parts on a 94 with 165k but geee... breaking my pockets lol. But I got to do what I got to do.

I still havent found any problems I really dont wanna pay someone to look at it and fix it
Just bought a new, not rebuilt, master cylinder for my 94 se from Autozone for $54.95. Bench-bled it, then bled entire system using Prestone Synthetic DOT 3 fluid. My brakes have never felt better!

And, yes, the sensor is built into the reservoir.
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