[woodpecker]

My 1998 4-cylinder Malibu has developed a sudden problem: The dashboard BRAKE indicator is always-lit and the loud chiming alarm goes off every so often (usually when accelerating?) while driving, telling me that the parking brake is on or the brakes have a problem, but the brake is off, brake fluid level is good and the brakes are working fine.

We got this car from its original owner, my father-in-law, and he once had the same problem, but he is no longer alive and we have no records of what was done to fix it.

Any ideas how I should proceed? Thanks!

Woodpecker

 

[Starship]

It's either stuck parking brake mechanism or stuck parking brake switch (part of the parking brake pedal assembly). Try spraying the switch with an electronic degreaser.

 

[woodpecker]

It's either stuck parking brake mechanism or stuck parking brake switch (part of the parking brake pedal assembly). Try spraying the switch with an electronic degreaser.

The parking brake pedal assembly... am I looking inside the car or under the hood for that? (Maybe my Haines guide shows its location.)

Thanks for your quick reply!

Woodpecker

 

[Starship]

Duck under the dash and look at the parking brake pedal. Locate the light blue wire. It should disappear inside the switch housing. When you push the pedal and engage the parking brake, the switch closes the circuit to the ground.

 

[woodpecker]

Took me awhile to get the time and dry weather to do this!

I went looking where the pedal is for the parking brake switch housing, but can't find a light blue wire. I've included a photo of what I can see:
<http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=90608&id=1533961816&l=8e19b3adbb>

 

[DrivenDaily]

That's a good picture but it doesn't show the switch or wire. It's up on top where you can't see it from that angle. You can use a mirror to get a look at it. A dentist's mirror works pretty good, but since it's so small it's hard to look at anything of any size at all. The switch and wire should be small enough to be no real issue.

 

[Starship]

See a typical parking brake assembly at http://cid-54465800aad91b49.office.live.com/self.aspx/pub/G00261139.GIF. BTW, the connectors to the right of the pedal in that facebook picture are the PCM connectors.

 

[woodpecker]

OK, I'm still working on this! Finally had time during some decent weather that I could try again.

Looking back in, to the left of the pedal assembly, I can see a light blue wire. It is mostly wrapped in black tape and goes into a small clear plastic fixture/assembly. Inside that fixture I can see shiny bare copper. I drenched that with the electronic degreaser. It didn't fix the problem.

Does it sound like I was in the right place? Or maybe, after rereading the replies here, I was supposed to be up higher?

Thanks!

 

[RickSteen]

A bad brake fluid level sensor can be the problem too.

 

[Starship]

Looking back in, to the left of the pedal assembly, I can see a light blue wire. It is mostly wrapped in black tape and goes into a small clear plastic fixture/assembly. Inside that fixture I can see shiny bare copper. I drenched that with the electronic degreaser. It didn't fix the problem.

Does it sound like I was in the right place? Or maybe, after rereading the replies here, I was supposed to be up higher?

It's hard to tell from you description. I'm wondering if you weren't looking at something left over from some aftermarket add-on. Anyway, you may need to get the PCM out of the way to see the park brake switch clearly. See my post in another thread http://www.chevymalibuforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=52737#post52737.

 

[woodpecker]

It's hard to tell from you description. I'm wondering if you weren't looking at something left over from some aftermarket add-on. Anyway, you may need to get the PCM out of the way to see the park brake switch clearly. See my post in another thread http://www.chevymalibuforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=52737#post52737.

Finally got a break in the weather to do this (remove the PCM and go at it), but the photos have been removed. Any chance of reposting the photos or emailing them to me?
Thanks!
woodpecker

 

[NovaCation]

My 98 did the same thing. Drove me crazy. A quick fix that worked for me was I set the parking brake at one or two clicks, And for me the rear rotors did not drag. This may not work for you. If you try this just make sure you have clearance on the back brakes.

 

[woodpecker]

It's hard to tell from you description. I'm wondering if you weren't looking at something left over from some aftermarket add-on. Anyway, you may need to get the PCM out of the way to see the park brake switch clearly. See my post in another thread http://www.chevymalibuforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=52737#post52737.

I found a photo on this forum of the switch I was looking at and it looks to be the correct switch. You can see it in this thread:http://www.chevymalibuforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6687
The photo with the red rectangle and the word "Here" and an arrow. You can see the light blue wire going into it.
So it sounds like I was in the right place, but I could barely see that switch, no less remove it. If you could point me to those photos for taking off the PCM, I could get there.
Thanks!

 

[woodpecker]

My 98 did the same thing. Drove me crazy. A quick fix that worked for me was I set the parking brake at one or two clicks, And for me the rear rotors did not drag. This may not work for you. If you try this just make sure you have clearance on the back brakes.

But the brake light always on and chiming are happening with the parking brake off. (Sorry, maybe I'm not understanding what you are suggesting.)

 

[woodpecker]

A bad brake fluid level sensor can be the problem too.

Is that something I can check myself? (I don't have the Haines car manual at my fingertips at the moment.)

If I end up taking the car to a mechanic (I need to get this resolved in the next 10 days), should I go to a Chevy dealer or my regular mechanic?

Thanks!