I just bought a 90 Burb 4x2 1500 last week and on the way home after I wrote the check, the brake light came on. I know emerg brakes stick sometimes and I've hammered it on and off a few times and the light is still on. The brakes work great on the Burb although I think they could be a touch harder and the pedal sinks a bit if you keep pushing on them and its a little unnerving watching that brake light on all the time. Anyone have any ideas what may be causing the light to stay on. Does anyone know if the booster isn't putting out what it is supposed to will that put the light on? The master is full and the Burb has only 85,000 original miles on it and I suspect the original brake fluid in her.

If you're talking about the Brake light that comes on when you put the parking brake on, then check the parking break pedal. On my truck, the latch on the pedal doesn't catch good, so going over a small bump is enough to knock it loose. It will fall down enough to cause the light to come on but not enough for brakes to engage.

My 92' K1500 had a reset switch under the dash above the brake pedal I had to reset one time. You might be able to reset it. Takes 2 seconds.

Check all plugs on the master . This was the reason for the light on my uncles 96.

...although I think they could be a touch harder and the pedal sinks a bit if you keep pushing on them...

Sounds like it needs a master cylinder to me.

Sounds like it needs a master cylinder to me.


Thanks for the reply Longhorn Man.. What makes you think it is the Master Cylinder cause it only has 85,000 miles and that is nothing for one of these Burbs.

first for a low pedal you check the brake pads and shoes to see if you have any linings left(while doing that also look fer leaks at calipers and wheel cylinders) second you check to see if you have any brake fluid in the master cylinder after all that is done and correct you can determine if master cylinder is functionally soundly

he said the pedal sinks if he keeps on pushing.... Either he is describing the problem in an odd way... or it could be one of two things... air in the system, or a master cylinder that is gone bad. (i'm assuming he tried bleeding the system already)
I work in a shop and I know 85K isn't the end of the line for a truck of any make... however, 16 years is a lot to ask of O-rings, and the early 90's is when GM's quality really went into the crapper...not that they have recovered from it yet.

he said the pedal sinks if he keeps on pushing.... Either he is describing the problem in an odd way... or it could be one of two things... air in the system, or a master cylinder that is gone bad. (i'm assuming he tried bleeding the system already)
I work in a shop and I know 85K isn't the end of the line for a truck of any make... however, 16 years is a lot to ask of O-rings, and the early 90's is when GM's quality really went into the crapper...not that they have recovered from it yet.
:agree: Milage dont mean jack. Age will get ya know matter what. And at 16 yrs it should have been flushed a couple of times by now. Nothing lasts forever weather its used or not.

Some of the trucks around that age have a valve that slides back and forth, so if one side is low - the light comes on. Can't remember the years. May be able to bleed the brakes and bring the slide back to the middle to turn off the light. Check your repair manuals and see if you can find the procedure. If you don't, I'll check through mine. Could be wrong, never have been accused of being just overly bright!