Help - my Brake Light stays on

[Sleuth]

This has gone from annoying to "I want to fix it!" When I release the handbrake on my 710, the dash light stays on. Sometimes it blinks a few times, so I most likely have a bad contact or ground. I see one wire plugged into the sensor, and it seems solid.
So, what do you suggest, oh fixers of all thinks PINZ?

[Jim LaGuardia]

First check your brake fluid level as the warning light has two functions, fluid level and handbrake.
The handbrake switch can be adjusted if out of place

[mjnims]

we see the light stay on alot, must be a desert thing. The contacts on the switch for the park brake get dirty and/or clogged with pebbles and needs to be cleaned. Of course you should check the brake fluid level as many don't realize the light is also activated by low fluid level.

[todds112]

I noticed in the parts book at some point they added a protective covering for the parking break switch. I had the opposite problem the plunger was "crudded" in not allowing the light to work when the lever was pulled. Was able to clean it up with WD-40 and get it working again.

Of all the well thought-out and engineered things on the trucks, the placement of that switch was not one of them.

[Jim LaGuardia]

The switch had at one time a rubber boot, no doubt rotted and gone now

[todds112]

The switch had at one time a rubber boot, no doubt rotted and gone now

Believe it or not the boot was still there. It was full of junk. I was actually able to remove the boot, clean everything, and re-use it. Not a major victory since a new switch is only about $20, but a small win none the less.

[Sleuth]

I should have noted that I checked the brake fluid first (I was born at night, but not LAST night!).

OK, looks like as soon as the wind dies down (60 MPH on my place), I'll be under the PINZ with the WD-40. Thanks.