I have a 1998 F150 4x4 - when I start the truck 50% of the time the Park Break Light comes on - other times it does not. It's driving me crazy - when I don't see the light I start to drive with the brake engaged.

Anyone see this? Bad light? I dont want to take apart the console if it's something else.

Thanks

 

2 things will cause the brake light to engage

1. park brake contact switch....either the brake is on, the switch is faulty or the e-brake is not coming up fully to dis-engage the switch.

2. your brake fluid is low....or the sensor on the brake master reservoir is faulty or has a short.

When you brakes are getting worn down, most of the fluid is in the caliper, dropping the fluid level. This will be a last resort signal to you in the cab telling you you need to have your brakes inspected or serviced. This light would also come on if you had a fluid leak and the fluid was low enough that you were about to loose brakes.

Please inspect your brake system....

 

My '98 has done this for years. It does it less than 50% of the time but I usually just kick the parking brake and it'll go off. We asked the dealer about it years ago and they couldn't figure it out.

 

that means the e-brake switch is bad or needs to be adjusted, easy fix...a little tab that it mounts to bends easy........

 

where is this switch located. when i have my e brake set sometimes it says it is and others it doesn't and i almost left it set while driving once

 

My 1997 has the same problem. Where is this switch located?

 

Follow the pedal up from where you put your foot on it. There is a pressure switch that mounts on the bracket and the plunger rests against the pedal arm above where you put your foot.

 

so just bend that bracket to where it would touch the plunger and it should come on then

 

The plunger is depressed and the light is off. When the e-brake pedal is pushed, the contact with the pedal is lost as the plunger is let out the light is engaged.

So, to answer your question Whapt, the plunger bracket needs to be bent towards the e-brake pedal arm to further engage the arm.