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1991 Mits Montero Emergency Brake light


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tnora
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tnora profile image

Mar 5, 2016, 11:44 PM

Post #1 of 6 (1409 views)
1991 Mits Montero Emergency Brake light Sign In

Hello. I have a 1991 Mits Montero LS 5 speed. The emergency brake light stays lit when the brake is off. I took the brake arm assembly apart and I noticed a plunger switch, like the switch on a refrigerator door that turns the light on. I checked the switch with my ohm meter and it seems to be working. The switch is closed when it's not depressed and then when it's pushed in when the emergency brake lever is off, the switch measures open on my meter. All the wiring around the emergency brake looks good. I just don't know why the brake light on the dash stays lit. Is there something else I need to check? Thanks.


(This post was edited by tnora on Mar 6, 2016, 12:04 AM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 6, 2016, 4:48 AM

Post #2 of 6 (1394 views)
Re: 1991 Mits Montero Emergency Brake light Sign In

Usually the warning light is the same for parking brake as an imbalance of hydraulic pressure of service brakes. For a 1991 I would just feel parking brake cable which should be tight when off and bet it isn't due to a cable or problem at a rear brake? Have to chase this down find and fix that. I suspect more than one switch can light the same RED warning if you found one good the other isn't?
You said you found is seem to work for parking brake but now would seek out the other. Even low brake fluid can light an imbalance most are from the proportioning valve which is hydraulic if you chase line from master cylinder to it there will be a wire there just for that on most vehicles of assorted brands,


T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 6, 2016, 6:30 AM

Post #3 of 6 (1389 views)
Re: 1991 Mits Montero Emergency Brake light Sign In

Check the brake fluid level.



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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 6, 2016, 9:24 AM

Post #4 of 6 (1384 views)
Re: 1991 Mits Montero Emergency Brake light Sign In

Said that in my book above. Yes OP, low fluid can either light same light BECAUSE THERE WILL BE AN IMBALANCE or some say low brake fluid.
IF LOW, FIND OUT WHY. Low pad life is displaced by brake fluid normally but also will usually stay within a non warning area.
Note: I can't see how to know what you dash warnings are for or look like. Some both a symbol and in plain English or other language if sold there I can't say.
General for the world is RED warnings are VERY important meaning tend to right away, no waiting. Amber/yellowish mean check me soon.
Which vehicles do exactly what could be different in same year and model with an option package? So can't know. FYI - not impossible but didn't think "Emergency Brake left on perhaps" had a separate light but might? BTW - calling it that was a thing folks just said but it was meant for PARKING not for emergencies TMK since LONG before this model year - decades,


T



tnora
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tnora profile image

Mar 7, 2016, 1:17 PM

Post #5 of 6 (1363 views)
Re: 1991 Mits Montero Emergency Brake light Sign In

Thanks. I got the red dash light to turn off. I checked the brake fluid reservoir and even though it was full, the floating switch in the reservoir wasn't making contact, so I moved it up and down, in the fluid, with the end of a screwdriver, and that must have been the problem.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 7, 2016, 2:20 PM

Post #6 of 6 (1359 views)
Re: 1991 Mits Montero Emergency Brake light Sign In

It certainly could be in fact now think that was it. IDK - if fluid was contaminated that could cause real problems as it's NOT an oil.
Do this please. Check that the rubber seal under cap to master cylinder's reservoir is ok. If seriously bloated soft rubber there may have been an oil added at some point and is a problem if so. Either way many or most vehicles get neglected to bleed out all brake fluid for new periodically and it does lose it's properties.
Your call but might consider either having all brakes bled to new fresh fluid or consider at least sucking out what is in reservoir with compatible plastic most turkey basters are and refill to proper level with new correct fluid. Throw out that turkey baster if you do that to never see a food product as brake fluid is a poison TMK and not going to prove it.
Your call as that could also break bleeders and cause more issues if you bled out whole system so your call if good enough, feels good, stops properly at the age maybe just let it be?
At least you seem to know with some surety what was making the light come on so a win for that and good for you,


Tom







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