parking brake lite on

Hi,
I have a 1980 c-3. the parking brake warning lite stays on even when the handbrake is released. I have checked the h.b switch, the master cyl has fluid, and the brake pads have a lot of meat left. What could be causing the lite to stay on?
thanks,
Carlton

Could be as simple as the connection to the gauge itself....C3s are notorious for electrical ''gremlins''.

E-brake warning switch needs to me moved up closer to the handle to ensure the handle contacts the switch when the parking brake is released. Remove the ebrake console and you ought to be able to see the switch. If you make this correction and the light remains on, you've had a brake system failure and need to check the system again.
:)

i have manually pushed in the e-brake switch by hand and the lite still doesn't go off..

If you have closed the switch by hand and the light remains on, you have a bad switch or there has been a brake system failure in the past. I've done the following and post it here for our consideration. At a very low speed (20 mph) in a safe place (empty parking lots are ideal), get the car rolling and do a panic stop: both feet on the pedal and push for all you're worth. The panic stop ought to reset the warning light. If the warning light subsequently comes back on, the problem is likely to be the brake system.

thanks all, i tried all the suggestions but, still is on, I will try and bleed the system and see how that works out.

Scoco -- Did the warning light go out after the panic stop? It should have gone out momentarily and reset. If it came back on, I would err on the side of caution and give the brake system a thorough R&R. You've got something in the system which is tripping the warning light.

You might want to try shooting an e-mail to Vette Brakes down in Florida. They
seemed to be extrememly helpful when I had to contact them last year.
Glenn

Try mashing down on the brake pedal with both feet and hold it for about 5 to 7 seconds. That should reset the differential warning switch associated with the "By-Pass Valve" I agree with Mike if this doesn't reset the switch and turn the light off, start looking at the sysetm from the master cylinder to each caliper..

(Ignition switch on,, doesn't have to be in gear)

Good Luck
BudD

|UPDATED|3/30/02 9:59:29 PM|/UPDATED|

hey everybody,
thanks for the suggestions... I bledd the system today and the warning lite went away..
thanks..