Help!

ODDferkOUT · Aug 18, 2003

This is probably a dumb question but I'm seriously stumped as to what else could be the problem.

Ever since a couple days ago, my break light indicator on the check board went on. So I checked it out. As it turns out, my brake lights stay no regardless. Pedal pressed or not. I checked the fuses, they seem fine. Any possible suggestions on what the problem could be?

*sigh*

[8]

Big Daddy · Aug 19, 2003

Check your brake light switch. It may be as simple as an adjustment.

ODDferkOUT · Aug 19, 2003

Hmm... any idea where that would be on an E30?

mytan85_325e · Aug 19, 2003

Look Under the drivers side of the dash, above the brake pedal.

ODDferkOUT · Aug 19, 2003

I read the Haynes on trying to remedy it via the brake light switch. Their explanation on what to do is confusing... - at least to me -

Can anyone explain it to me in a more coherent sense?

Thanks in advance...

Big Daddy · Aug 19, 2003

The switch should be adjusted so that it is on, extended only when the brake pedal is pressed. Sometimes the switch needs to be reset in the bracket by adjusting the threaded nut that moves it further or closer to the pedal arm. In your case it sounds like it needs to be adjusted further from the arm.

ODDferkOUT · Aug 21, 2003

Mine seems to be a different set-up than other E30s but nonetheless I adjusted the switch to no success. It's still on. So now I'm beginning to wonder if it's something else. [???1]

Rukus · Aug 21, 2003

is it your "brake lining light"

dammit.

reset your sensors on your brakes.

ODDferkOUT · Aug 23, 2003

Blah, I went as far as to unplug the battery for a little then hook it back on. Methinks now I might need to replace the brake light sensor. Maybe it's jammed inside somewhere. [?|]

Any idea on how much this costs. I do have a handful of little Autohaus' around here so maybe I'll have it checked there... [rolleyes]

bichmgnt · Aug 23, 2003

It's probably not the brake switch if the light on the check board stays on. (I'm assuming this is the system status board on the ceiling with all the different lights for different systems - there is a name for it but I don't have the manual in front of me) If the switch was adjusted wrong the brake light status light would always be out. That said, pull the wires off the brake switch and see if the lights go out. If the lights go out, pull the switch and check continuity on it with the button on the switch pushed and let go. It should be open when pushed and closed when let go.

If the lights don't go out when the wires on the switch are pulled you have a much bigger problem and need to have your electrical system checked.

Good luck,

Steve

ODDferkOUT · Aug 24, 2003

bichmgnt said:

It the actual brake lights in the back of the car, that I'm referring to.

Rukus · Aug 25, 2003

well holy sh*t. be alot more clear man. you wasted all this time on letting people guess, instead of jsut telling them.

thats an illogical use of time and forum bandwidth

epj3 · Aug 25, 2003

Rukus said:

Idiot, if you READ you'll see that he DID say what the problem was!! [?|]

You're wasting bandwidth by not reading the post before you post.

ODDferkOUT · Aug 28, 2003

UPDATE:

I brought it to an import specialist yesterday...

...made sure I checked it out and witnessed the inspection rigth there with them.

As it turns out, my driver side rotor is warped and there is no pads left on that side causing the sensor on the assembly to tell the car that I'm stepping on my brakes. The irony of it all is that I never once felt like my brakes were slipping. So I'm going to get new front brakes and the rotor re-surfaced or replaced soon. Whenever the parts come in.

And to think, I thought it was the sensor by the pedal [?|]

Then again, it's guess and check with Euro cars, is it not?

mikev · Aug 28, 2003

ODDferkOUT said:

UPDATE:

I brought it to an import specialist yesterday...

...made sure I checked it out and witnessed the inspection rigth there with them.

As it turns out, my driver side rotor is warped and there is no pads left on that side causing the sensor on the assembly to tell the car that I'm stepping on my brakes. The irony of it all is that I never once felt like my brakes were slipping. So I'm going to get new front brakes and the rotor re-surfaced or replaced soon. Whenever the parts come in.

And to think, I thought it was the sensor by the pedal

Then again, it's guess and check with Euro cars, is it not?

Unless you know what your doing [^]

bichmgnt · Aug 28, 2003

That sensor assembly on the rotor does not tell the car you are stepping on the brakes. That's a brake wear sensor and it turns on the dashboard light indicating that your pads are worn. The only thing that turns on the brake lights is supposed to be the switch on your brake pedal.

I'd bet your brake lights are still on after the brakes are fixed.

Per Bentley, 84 thru mid 87 models had adjustable brake switches. Late 87 thru 91 are not adjustable.

Again, you should pull the wires on the brake switch on the brake pedal. If your brake lights are still on you have a short somewhere that needs to be checked out. If they are not on you either need to adjust the switch if possible or get a new switch.

Steve

Rukus · Aug 29, 2003

epj

epj3
he first said his a light warning about brakes came on, on the dash. then he said it was his tail lights he was having a problem with.

take it easy man. he wasn;t very clear,

then he said

so which one was it?

to ME, he is jumping form two very different things.

so settle down.

ODDferkOUT · Sep 2, 2003

Ok... maybe I should clarify this even more so that everyone gains something cohesive from this...

...my actual brake lights in the back of the car are one along with the brake lights on the checkboard on top. The brake lights on the speedo/tach are not on. So even though the mechanic seems to say it's because I need new brakes, I seem to feel that it's something electical. A short someone like what some of you have advised...

...just finding where it's shorted out is a bitch. [?|]

And being that I'm not very car savvy, it's just a problem that I can't seem to get rid of.

[8]

rjp325i · Sep 2, 2003

The best advice I can give is for you to invest in a Bentley manual for a description of what each light on the Overhead Check Panel is and what the Dash Lights tell you (brake lining or brake fluid etc) The manual gives in some detail beyond what the owners manual states. While not 100% it is the best out there. The Haynes is a cheaper but far less detailed manual. The combination of the two is even better. It will come in handy for many other tasks you may wish or have to get involved with.

nadroj · Sep 2, 2003

epj3 said:

lol

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