emergency brake light comes on

[choff]

The emergency brake light in my 03 Outback keeps coming on when I'm driving. The odd thing is that it will turn off when I come to a stop. I've check to make sure the breaks not on, so I'm guessing there's a switch that is going bad. Can anyone tell me where the switch is, or has anyone seen this before?

Thanks

[rsrocket1]

Did you check your brake fluid level?
If it is low, also check your brake pads, they may be nearly worn out.

[nipper]

Originally posted by choff
The emergency brake light in my 03 Outback keeps coming on when I'm driving. The odd thing is that it will turn off when I come to a stop. I've check to make sure the breaks not on, so I'm guessing there's a switch that is going bad. Can anyone tell me where the switch is, or has anyone seen this before?

Thanks

Is it the parking brake light or the brake failure light (i dont remeber if they are independent or not).

How many miles on the car?

If the car has never had a brake job before, and the fluid is low, your getting close to time for new pads. Don't just blindly add fluid.

nipper

[porcupine73]

Hi and sometimes the brake light will come on if your alternator is going flaky as well.

[nipper]

Originally posted by porcupine73
Hi and sometimes the brake light will come on if your alternator is going flaky as well.

Usually thats in reverse of what he is seeing. The light comes on at idle.

[georgehifi]

I've had a very similar thing happen twice on a Mercedes 300E and it turned out on both times to be only 1 of the 6 exciter diodes blown in the alternator, this still charges the battery (only just), and still gives a weak 12-13v charging voltage.
But what it does is sets up a very high RF oscillation that confuses the heck out of the nearest anitlock brake sensor, this is then read as a fault on the dash lights.

Cheers George

[rcy]

Originally posted by georgehifi
I've had a very similar thing happen twice on a Mercedes 300E and it turned out on both times to be only 1 of the 6 exciter diodes blown in the alternator, this still charges the battery (only just), and still gives a weak 12-13v charging voltage.
But what it does is sets up a very high RF oscillation that confuses the heck out of the nearest anitlock brake sensor, this is then read as a fault on the dash lights.

Cheers George

I thought for sure you were going to mention the flux capacitor somewhere in that post.

[georgehifi]

Originally posted by rcy


I thought for sure you were going to mention the flux capacitor somewhere in that post.

No, I believe you have that one in your car.

Cheers George

[choff]

Thanks for the info. I've done a little testing and it's starting to look like it's the switch (sensor?) that lets you know that the e-break is on. To test this little theory I need to find that switch. If anyone knows where it is it will save me a lot of time tracing wires.

[rsrocket1]

Here's another test.
Does your car year have daytime running lights?
If yes, are they off?
If they're off, then the car "thinks" the e-brake is on.