About a week ago my parking brake light would stick on, and if I wiggled the handle it would eventually shut off. Now it stays on all the time, or turns off on acceleration and back on during braking. Any ideas? It's very annoying cause it's so bright especialy driving at night.

 

check brake fluid

 

Might need new brakes

 

it sounds ot me like the proximity switch on the handbrake may be disconnected or out of position. Do the following

open the console and remove the 2 (#2 phillips) screws in the bottom. then the console will lift up from the back. Remove the console and start the car. Cycle the e-brake handle and watch the light. Inspect the switch and see if it is making contact. Lastly check any of the wires abbrasions/damage.

the e-brake is mechanical so low fluid and worn pads won't have anything to do with the parking brake light.

 

+1

 

i agree, it's happened to me twice before...add brake fluid to your reservoir and it will go away...

 

please just don't add brake fluid. Brake fluid isn't consumed, if the level is decreasing, there is a leak somewhere.

 

I'm going in for an oil change tomorrow so they are going to take a look at it then. I'll let you know what they find.

 

OR the brake pads are nearly worn out, causing the fluid displacement. If you had a leak you would know it as soon as it developed in the form of no brakes.

 

you shouldn't be able to displace enough fluid to bring a warning light on, even with severe pad wear.

 

+1

Check your pads before you end up needing to get the rotors resurfaced.

I add brake fluid to my Camry one time. ABout 3 weeks later, my ears heard the sweet sounds of metal on metal when coming to a stop. Add 100 bucks to what could have been a simply pad change.

 

I had the same problem in my wrx.
Pads were worn
After a brake job it went away

 

Wait did you say the handbrake caused the light to go on because you said you wiggled the handle....

I dont think my car's break light goes on for the handbreak.

 

/\ the light in the gauge cluster that is on when your hand brake is up

 

+1. I've seen it on a buddy's car.