Nissan Repair: 1997 Nissan Pathfinder Dashboard Brake Light, emergency brake lever, nissan pathfinder

Question
1997 Nissan pathfinder emergency brake light my dash board emergency light won't go out i have released the brake but the light  remains on and has been on for days.  I checked the brake fluid and the reserve is full.  How can I make sure the emergency brake lever is compressing the pin to make the light go off?  Any suggestions why this is happening?

Answer
Hi Nicholas -

This brake lamp could go on for 3 reasons:

1. Low brake fluid

2. Emergency brake is on

3. Loss or uneven pressure in the brake line (this would be from the proportioning valve)

I know you have checked 1 and 2. To check #3, you will need to bleed out the brake system, pump the brakes, refill, and check the light again. Sometimes you will have to do this a few times. Assuming that you did not work on the brakes recently, this may not be the problem.

In answer to your question, the h=best thing to have is a 12V circuit test lamp. With the emergency brake applied (ignition on), check power (touch the probe of the tester to the terminal)to the wire that goes to the button for the brake lever. Then release the brake and monitor again. If the laght goes on and off, it is not the switch (or button).

Please perform these tests, and get back to me so I can walk you through the next step.

Thanks
aloha
calvin