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Date:         Sun, 9 Apr 2017 13:50:37 -0400
Reply-To:     George Gaudette <gcgaudette@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         George Gaudette <gcgaudette@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Brakes dashboard light -- DANGER?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

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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