So I took the truck(1999 f-150 4.6L 4x4) in to get safetied, going to be selling it, and it called for the Parking brake indicator light to be fixed.

When I start the truck the display lights on the dash all light up then go off, just like normal. But when I engage the parking brake....no light.

I am thinking the sensor/switch needs to be taken out and cleaned up or changed out.

Where abouts is this thing located? I know its by the pedal, but it looks like a rats nest of wires down there!

 

It should be on the parking brake control usually high up which makes it a pain to access. There should be 1 wire attached to it. The switch grounds when the park brake pedal is engaged. The switch may just be corroded enough not to make a ground contact.

 

Do a search on here...a couple of weeks ago there was a lengthy discussion about this topic/how to fix it. If I find it, I'll post the link. It's a very easy fix.

 

The switch is not too bad to get to - however it's a little tight. The best way to see it is to depress the parking brake and then lie on your side/back (it's an awkward angle) and look up behind the dash to see the switch. The switch is white and round (like a tube) and has a metal spring-loaded pin that slides up and down vertically. To help locate it, look for the rubber grommet on the parking brake pedal, release the parking brake slowly, and follow it up until the rubber grommet connects with the switch. That will show you the location.

Now, the best way to access the switch, in my opinion, is to pull the plastic sill plate up (just pries up with your fingers) and then remove the kick panel (also removes with your fingers by prying backward and toward you). Lastly, you can remove the fuse panel cover which will give you a bit more room. One these three items are off, squat down and with a flash light you should be able to find your parking break switch. You'll see a metal bar/plate and behind that lies the switch.

I'd try getting some electrical contact spray with a long nozzle and squirt a few blasts around that metal pin that sits in the switch housing. Use a long flat blade screw driver to manually move the spring-loaded pin up and down to check operation.

I'm in the middle of fixing mine. I noticed that with the parking brake depressed if I jiggle the wire that connects to the switch, the parking brake light glows. Right now it's only glowing intermittently but I'm pretty sure it's a bad switch.

Hope this helps.