How to reset "Brake Warning" Light?

pharriso · 09-24-2007, 09:46 AM

I flushed the brakes on my 2002 Grand Cherokee yesterday, now the brake warning light is staying on, any ideas on how to reset it?

I guess at some point the fluid dropped down low enough to trigger the light (engine was running while I did the bleed).

I turned the ignition on/off 3 times, but that did not fix it.

TIA

**ArloGuthroJeep** · 09-24-2007, 09:49 AM

If the brake light is still on, there is still a fault in the system. How do the brakes feel?

**ArloGuthroJeep** · 09-24-2007, 09:50 AM

Also, have you driven it? When I bleed my brakes I'll have my brake light and abs lights on and they won't turn off until I drove all of 10 ft.

pharriso · 09-24-2007, 11:38 AM

The brakes feel fine.

I took it out for a test drive of about 1 mile, the brakes feel great!

sandman · 09-24-2007, 11:47 AM

it should turn off when you cycle through the ignition.

pharriso · 09-24-2007, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandman

it should turn off when you cycle through the ignition.

What do you mean by that? The light stays on...

Bricolage · 09-24-2007, 12:21 PM

Have you tried disconnecting the negative battery cable? I don't know if or how it would help, but it might be worth a shot.

pharriso · 09-24-2007, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bricolage

Have you tried disconnecting the negative battery cable? I don't know if or how it would help, but it might be worth a shot.

Yes I have disconnected & reconnected the battery.

MuddyLuxury · 09-24-2007, 12:45 PM

is the brake warning light? or the parking brake idiot light? might try pulling the fuses for the abs and what not drive it around the block, disconnect the battery and then put the fuse back in and reconnect the battery.

just a thought nobody kill me.. lol

pharriso · 09-24-2007, 01:02 PM

It's the parking brake idiot light, but according to the drivers manual it also shows regular (hydraulic) brake system errors.

MuddyLuxury · 09-24-2007, 01:05 PM

pull open the center console to see if something is causeing a short.. its a dumb switch setup really easy for someting to get stuck in there and cause issues

indept · 09-24-2007, 02:53 PM

It's the hydraulic differential pressure switch. The brakes are separated into 2 hydraulic "circuits" usually front & rear but sometimes front right and left rear & left front and right rear. This gets set by pressure on one side or circuit being higher than the other side. To reset, you have to have someone pumping the brake then hold it while you blead 1 side or the other JUST til the light goes out. Basically your trying to "center" the switch again. when you trip it by bleeding the brakes the way you did, it trips the switch & it latches in that position. You have to lower the pressure in the opposite side to reset it. It's a PIYA but it will reset.
Good Luck

When you bleed brakes by somebody pressing the pedal, instead of a brake bleader hooked to the system, NEVER have them push the brake all the way to the floor, only press it down about half way & stop til you close the bleeder screw, then pump it up & repeat til all the air is out. That way you won't trip the pressure switch.

wingless · 09-29-2007, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indept

To reset, you have to have someone pumping the brake then hold it while you blead 1 side or the other JUST til the light goes out.

That is so correct. When I was centering mine I tried to give it a little extra, to ensure it was centered and it went right back on. I then had to push it the other way by opening the other circuit.

earthquake5683 · 08-08-2010, 06:23 PM

Do you "bleed" it at a caliper?

indept · 08-08-2010, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earthquake5683

Do you "bleed" it at a caliper?

Yes. Operate the bleeder wrench with one hand only, That leaves the other hand to hold your beer...