E-Brake Warning Light Problem
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
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From: Valley Center, CA
E-Brake Warning Light Problem
My 68 f100 has a small, round warning light on the dash above the emergency brake pedal with the word brake in it. I presume this is a warning light to tell me that the emergency brake is still engaged. However, I can't find an adjustment for it on the e-brake pedal and the light stays on whether the e-brake is depressed or not. Has anybody had to solve this problem on their truck? Signed: depressed about light. 
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 22
From: Lacey, WA
Hi,
Well if memory serves me that light is not an emergency brake light but a brake system failure light. I thought it was driven from the proportioning valve. Anyone care to confirm this?
Lee
Well if memory serves me that light is not an emergency brake light but a brake system failure light. I thought it was driven from the proportioning valve. Anyone care to confirm this?
Lee
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 6
From: Coal country
Yep, brake system failure.
I thought my son's '72 light or prop valve was messed up, so I disconnected the light. Turns out the rear sump was leaking into the truck behind the firewall, under the floor covering where I couldn't see it, and it finally went out completely.
The light went out when I replaced the master cylinder.
I thought my son's '72 light or prop valve was messed up, so I disconnected the light. Turns out the rear sump was leaking into the truck behind the firewall, under the floor covering where I couldn't see it, and it finally went out completely.
The light went out when I replaced the master cylinder.
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Hi I have a 1968 f100, and i have the same problem. I always thought that it meant the e-brake was on. I want to swap to front disk's down the road, is there any difference between the all drum the master cylindar to the front disk master cylindar. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Anthony, There is a difference and that is why I recommend purchasing a donor and swapping all the parts over. You basically keep a factory engineered brake system, that you can go to any parts counter in your favorite parts house and order replacement parts for in the future. tooo many parts, huh
John
John
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 920
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From: Westminster, Colorado
The light is controlled by a little metal fitting that the brake lines run through....Follow your brake lines and you should see it underneath the mastercylinder/firewall area. It should be the only brake system component with wires coming from it. Be sure to check the wire for shorts before assuming that you have to replace the part.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
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From: Valley Center, CA
I assume that the wire going to this component is the "ground" wire that completes the circuit and makes the warning light come on? So therefore, if that wire is grounded someplace, then the light would be on all the time. It seems the easiest test would be to unplug the wire from the component and see if the light goes out. 
Thanks, John
Thanks, John
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Bridgeville,CA
If you want th3 light to work it is easy to "centralize" the valve thingy on the frame. The design was for the light to come on if one half of the swystem failed. Without the light you could lose the front or rear system and not know it untill the other one filed and left you with no brakes. If one system fails the pressure difference between the two systems pushes the shuttle to one end of the valve which turns on the light. After the problem is fixed all you have to do is loosen the nut on the master cylinder system that was OK and step on the brake untill the light goes out. Retighten the nut on the master and you are done
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 36
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From: Kensington, OH
E-light problems
All the comments are correct above, the proportioning valve has an electrical lead that is directly connected to that light. It is a two prong connector, but finding the pro.valve is not easy on the 68-72 trucks it sits inside the frame hole, right behind and underneath the steering box. I had similar problems, it could be a stuck valve, brake system problem where fluid pressure is low due to leakage or it could be just a simple connection problem in the wiring. Hope this helps.
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