Brake Warning Light Does Not Go Off

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Subaru Outback, 2006 Subaru Legacy, and 2006 Saab 9-2X. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

DETECTING CONDITION:

Brake warning light circuit is shorted.
Defective sensor/connector

TROUBLE SYMPTOM:

After starting the engine, the brake warning light remains lit though the parking lever is released.

WIRING DIAGRAM:

Fig 1: Brake Warning Light Does Not Go OFF - Wiring Diagram

DIAGNOSIS PROCEDURE

Step	Check	Yes	No
1 CHECK INSTALLATION OF VDCCM&H/U CONNECTOR. Turn the ignition switch to OFF. Check that the VDCCM&H/U connector is inserted until it is locked by clamp.	Is the connector firmly inserted?	Go to step 2.	Insert the VDCCM&H/U connector until it is locked by clamp.
2 READ DTC. Read the DTC. < Ref. to READ DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) . >	Is DTC displayed?	Perform the diagnosis according to DTC.	Go to step 3.
3 CHECK BRAKE FLUID AMOUNT. Check the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir tank of master cylinder.	Is the amount of brake fluid between the lines of "MAX" and "MIN"?	Go to step 4.	Replenish brake fluid to the specified value.
4 CHECK BRAKE FLUID LEVEL SWITCH. Turn the ignition switch to OFF. Disconnect the level switch connector (B16) from master cylinder. Measure the resistance of master cylinder terminals. Terminals No. 1 - No. 2:	Is the resistance more than 1 MΩ?	Go to step 5.	Replace the master cylinder.
5 CHECK PARKING BRAKE SWITCH. Disconnect the connector (R4) from parking brake switch. Release the parking brake. Measure the resistance between parking brake switch terminal and chassis ground.	Is the resistance more than 1 MΩ?	Go to step 6.	Replace the parking brake switch.
6 CHECK GROUND SHORT OF HARNESS. Disconnect the connector (i10) from combination meter. Measure the resistance between combination meter connector and chassis ground. Connector & terminal (i10) No. 7 - Chassis ground:	Is the resistance more than 1 MΩ?	Go to step 7.	Repair the harness connector between combination meter brake fluid level switch and parking brake switch.
7 CHECK HARNESS CONNECTOR. Disconnect the connector (B310) from the VDCCM&H/U. Disconnect the connector (i10) from combination meter. Measure the resistance between VDCCM&H/U connector and combination meter connector. Connector & terminal (B310) No. 20 - (i10) No. 7:	Is the resistance less than 0.5 Ω?	Go to step 8.	Repair the harness connector between VDCCM&H/U and combination meter.
8 CHECK POOR CONTACT IN CONNECTOR. Check poor contact in all connectors.	Is there poor contact?	Repair the connector.	Go to step 9.
9 CHECK VDCCM. Connect the connector (B310) to VDCCM&H/U. Turn the ignition to ON. Measure the resistance between combination meter connector and chassis ground. Connector & terminal (i10) No. 7- Chassis ground:	Is the resistance less than 0.5 Ω?	Check the combination meter.	Replace the VDCCM&H/U.