Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2017 22:26:16 -0600
Reply-To: OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Brakes dashboard light -- DANGER?
In-Reply-To: <CAOXGjpmG_rtpu3FfgTFTbUc7MR5M3Gk0Ns3cxh4KPU69+dT-gA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Did You possibly neglect to Reconnect the Wire from Alternator to Starter ~
On 9 Apr , 2017, at 6:37 PM, George Gaudette wrote:
> Thanks Dennis -- interesting. I did replace the starter yesterday
> (Saturday). I drove it once Saturday, and noticed this symptom this
> morning. I can't say for sure the brake warning light wasn't on when I
> drove it Saturday after the replacement.
>
> But -- no cruise control and no starter boost relay.
>
> -George
> '90 Westfalia automatic
>
>
> On Sun, Apr 9, 2017 at 6:37 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> In addition to the hand brake lever and low brake fluid level switches,
>> this indicator is also tied into the alternator warning system and the
>> starter circuit if you have cruise control. If a starter boost relay was
>> added this can also be a problem.
>>
>> Dennis,
>> From my phone.
>> ------------------------------
>> From: George Gaudette <gcgaudette@GMAIL.COM>
>> Sent: 4/9/2017 1:50 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Brakes dashboard light -- DANGER?
>>
>> Aaand on to my next issue:
>>
>> I have a '90 automatic Westy. The brake warning light in the instrument
>> panel won't go out. Brake fluid is good (this van has the brake fluid
>> level sensor cap). No change (no flicker or anything) regardless of
>> whether I release the e-brake or press the foot pedal. I have not tried
>> driving the van more than a few feet.
>>
>> What I really need to know short-term is if this could indicate a risk of
>> brake failure / danger to drive -- I have plans that require the vehicle
>> today.
>>
>> I've seen some suggestion that this is just a dummy light ("Dummy, release
>> your e-brake!") that also illuminates for low fluid ("Dummy, top off your
>> brake fluid!"), in which case it would seem to not indicate a safety issue
>> given my fluid level.
>>
>> But I also read something that seems to say this can happen if there's an
>> issue with pressure in the master cylinder, which sounds dangerous to me.
>> (Disclaimer: I'm pretty ignorant on this topic.)
>>
>> The issue does not seem to me to be the little 1-wire button switch thing
>> at the e-brake itself. I can get into the diagnostics of the other parts
>> later, right now I'm really just asking about risk of brake failure so I
>> can figure out if I need to cancel my plans.
>>
>> Best,
>> George
>>
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