Stupid Dash Brake Flashing. How to Turn it OFF?

[Bimmernovice]

Replaced front and rear pads with both sensors. Brake lining light turned off but the brake light continues to flash. Anyone know how to turn it off?

[vickumar]

mine always has brake light lit on the msg center and check cluster light flashing when i turn the car on, until i press the brake pedal and it goes off. happens each time on start.

is this what your experiencing?

if so it might be a bad bulb, switch, corroded contact, connector somewhere. At least im pretty sure this is the cause of my flashing check lamp. have not had the time to dig into this yet, been working on other things.

[Flash635]

mine always has brake light lit on the msg center and check cluster light flashing when i turn the car on, until i press the brake pedal and it goes off. happens each time on start.

That's normal. It's the system testing your brake lights and switch.
It shows up as a fault until you complete a brake light circuit by applying the brakes.
If the brake switch wasn't working the light would stay on.

[vickumar]

That's normal. It's the system testing your brake lights and switch.
It shows up as a fault until you complete a brake light circuit by applying the brakes.
If the brake switch wasn't working the light would stay on.

oh really, didnt know that... pretty odd. good to know! one less item to fix!

[Bimmernovice]

That's normal. It's the system testing your brake lights and switch.
It shows up as a fault until you complete a brake light circuit by applying the brakes.
If the brake switch wasn't working the light would stay on.

So, your saying change the brake switch out? Is that the part connected to the transmission?

[carsnplanes]

So, your saying change the brake switch out? Is that the part connected to the transmission?

No, it has nothing to do with the transmission. The brake light switch is mounted under the dash on a bracket on the brake pedal box. When you apply the brake, the switch plunger extends closing the circuit to light the brake lights. This same action cancels the flashing brake light (brake system self check) on the check panel when you fist start the car after you've applied the brake for the first time.

Are you saying in your case you still have a flashing brake light even after you've applied the the brake to cancel the flashing light?

[JimPA]

That's normal. It's the system testing your brake lights and switch.
It shows up as a fault until you complete a brake light circuit by applying the brakes.
If the brake switch wasn't working the light would stay on.

Or, in my car, it wasn't the brake light switch but an intermittent problem with the connector for the right rear light cluster. Although the light will still be illuminated, you can stop the flashing by pushing the button on the check panel. However, as long as that check light is flashing or illuminated, you probably won't have any brake lights.

[Pabloel]

However, as long as that check light is flashing or illuminated, you probably won't have any brake lights.

Unfortunately this is incorrect. When it rains my light does not go off after the test sometimes but always everything works as it should. 25 year old connectors live their own life sometimes...

[bimmerjo]

Replaced front and rear pads with both sensors. Brake lining light turned off but the brake light continues to flash. Anyone know how to turn it off?

If the brake light is flashing in the bottom right side of your cluster, then you likely have a bad pressure sensor in your hydro boost system. (Steady on means you are low on fluid)

There are two switches one on top, one on the side. Do NOT unthread these until you have depressurized the system by pumping the brake pedal about 10-15 times while the engine is off.

AutohausAZ has these two sensors in stock

Unfortunately this is incorrect. When it rains my light does not go off after the test sometimes but always everything works as it should. 25 year old connectors live their own life sometimes...

I tracked down an intermittent check light for the brake circuit to loose spade terminals on the back of the rear light housings. AND corroded bulb sockets.

[Pabloel]

I tracked down an intermittent check light for the brake circuit to loose spade terminals on the back of the rear light housings. AND corroded bulb sockets.

I did the same thing as you but still i got that "check" on from time to time, especially when it rains. I threw the towel for now - I am gonna do LED conversion anyway which will solve the problem permanently.

[mauryc]

Third brake light is a common cause (for those who have the third light). Remove the housing and jump the two green wires. There is an issue with the little circuit board in there. My check light flashed and I cleaned every socket and connection and replaced every bulb and brake switch. Saw this on a post and tried it. Worked like a charm.

Maury

[Bimmernovice]

If the brake light is flashing in the bottom right side of your cluster, then you likely have a bad pressure sensor in your hydro boost system. (Steady on means you are low on fluid)

There are two switches one on top, one on the side. Do NOT unthread these until you have depressurized the system by pumping the brake pedal about 10-15 times while the engine is off.

AutohausAZ has these two sensors in stock



I tracked down an intermittent check light for the brake circuit to loose spade terminals on the back of the rear light housings. AND corroded bulb sockets.

Definitely flashing which is more irritating than having it steadily on.

No, it has nothing to do with the transmission. The brake light switch is mounted under the dash on a bracket on the brake pedal box. When you apply the brake, the switch plunger extends closing the circuit to light the brake lights. This same action cancels the flashing brake light (brake system self check) on the check panel when you fist start the car after you've applied the brake for the first time.

Are you saying in your case you still have a flashing brake light even after you've applied the the brake to cancel the flashing light?

Yes, that is the case. That being said, there is this light blue plastic box that has fallen from behind the knee bolster just above the brake pedal. Its odd that it is there. i wonder if that has to do with anything regarding the brakes.

[bimmerjo]

Definitely flashing which is more irritating than having it steadily on.

I meant to say low on brake fluid when the light is steady on. Have you had a problem with your power steering fluid leaking recently? I have a leak and when the power steering fluid gets low enough for the pump to cavitate it will cause issues and turn that light on.

Here is a little bit of info on these systems http://www.asashop.org/autoinc/feb99/techtips.htm

Yes, that is the case. That being said, there is this light blue plastic box that has fallen from behind the knee bolster just above the brake pedal. Its odd that it is there. i wonder if that has to do with anything regarding the brakes.

Grab a pic? The only thing I remember being under there that is blue, is the temp sensor for the HVAC

[CW6er]

Replaced front and rear pads with both sensors. Brake lining light turned off but the brake light continues to flash. Anyone know how to turn it off?

Which "Brake light" are you talking about??

The one in the check panel to the left of the cluster, or the one in the cluster in the row of lights with the Brake Lining, Oil, ABS, etc.?

[Derekwh]

I am getting some seepage past the two brake pressure switches and plan to replace them, is a sealant used on the threads when installing?

[1986series6]

I am getting some seepage past the two brake pressure switches and plan to replace them, is a sealant used on the threads when installing?

Are they seeping from the threads or from the electrical housing.

If it's the housing replace.

If it's only the threads, you can try Teflon tape before buying new.

[Derekwh]

I was thinking it is through the housing but I think I'll give them a good cleaning and make sure. Though I am getting a flicker from the brake light and wonder if it may be one of the switches, I know the fluid level is okay so it isn't that.

[sanjuanbum]

If the brake light is flashing in the bottom right side of your cluster, then you likely have a bad pressure sensor in your hydro boost system. (Steady on means you are low on fluid)

I have a 1988 635csi automatic.

My brake light (in dash cluster that indicates low fluid on most cars) flashes on momentarily almost every time I hit the brakes. It does not flash continuously.

Is this an indicator that one of the two pressure sensors is bad?

Can I test to figure out which one?

Should I replace both?

Does the entire system need to be bled after the sensor replacement?

Is there anything the sensor is sensing that needs to be fixed?
Thanks
Shaggy

[sanjuanbum]

bump

@bimmerjo