Parking Brake Warning Light

2003 extra cab, all manual 4WD

I've done lots of searching (over the years) and can't find a definitive answer. One of the things that's always annoyed me with this truck is the parking brake warning light won't go out, or blinks back on after a few bumps in the road.

- New powder coated rear drums
- New shoes
- P brake star adjusted correctly
- Bell crank adjustments checked (didn't need to move)

The coupler nuts were completely rusted up at the intermediary arm, so a few weeks ago I replaced the rear e-brake cable with a new OEM one. I have the couplers adjusted all the way to the rear and there's still slack in the line when released, this simply has to be abnormal.

Release p-brake and stupid light still comes on.

The only thing I can figure is the front cable is also stretched. I'm about to tape a couple spacers onto the release shaft where it hits the p-brake switch and call it a day LOL . . . everything works fine, it's just there's a little play in the handle when you release the p-brake and it's just enough to let the switch pop out and turn on the light. Drives me nuts.

So the two questions are is this a common thing with gen 1's or am I correct, the front cable is also stretched?

 

The switch is fine, that's why it lights up (when I don't want it to.) The mechanism goes against it with just enough play to let it spring open.

 

It is not common !!

The spring at the intermediate lever should put pressure on the cable towards the front.

If that spring is broken or just seized the light will tend to stay on.

You have ruled out a low fluid level ?

When the switch is opened the light does go out??

 

Thanks, checked that, lever appears to retract normally.

Yes levels are all fine. You can clearly see the p-brake lever goes in when released but there is a slight play like the cable is not retracting it quite enough.

Yes, when you hand-operate it (push it in) it's fine, doesn't appear to blink like there's a bad contact or anything. It's just not getting pushed in enough.

 

All that is left your front cable is about to break !!

It might go weeks or months it might snap next time it is applied.

Good to have a new front cable ready to change. Does not hurt to have a pulley and new pin.

I lose things like that all to often.

 

Adjust the cable under drivers seat, it helped mine stop.. v6 auto.

another truck, the po just cut off the switch. Wish it was there, but its a manual and I know when the brake is on or off

 

Or it's just stretched, I read a lot about that. Doesn't look frayed anywhere.

Right, at the intermediate lever, as in OP I put in a new rear cable and it's adjusted all the way back which can't be right. All I can figure is the front cable has stretched.

 

They start to fray right where the cable comes into the cab! It bunches and does not allow the handle to retract fully.

The adjustment at the intermediate lever allows you to account for the front cable stretching as well as the rear.

When adjusted correct !

 

Front cable will have to wait until payday but snipped a piece of 1/4" fuel line and temporarily put it over the bar that depresses the switch when the brake is released lol . . . fits snug but if it falls off, it does. Plenty of slack in the cable when released, no worries.