2001 with parking brake indicator on...help please

[Sbeduckman]

New guy here with a question. My wife has a 2001 Grand Am. Earlier this week, the parking brake indicator light in the dash came on. Because of this, she has no cruise control, and is not happy.

I checked the brake fluid, and the brake lights....all good to go. Hooked up my scanner, It is not throwing any codes. I figure it has to be a switch at the hand brake; but I'm just guessing. Hoping someone here can tell me what may be going on. She must have her cruise control back (or so I'm told). Thanks folks.

 

[melsg5]

There is no parking brake indicator light according to the owners manual unless you are in Canada. The light you see is a brake system light indicating an issue with the system. Did you check the fluid level in the master cylinder? Did you drive the car and see if it requires an unusual amount of effort to stop?

 

[Sbeduckman]

Well...I am not in Canada. I did check the master cylinder fluid level, it was fine. The car is stopping like usual. Not my car, and she's never used the brake, so I assumed the light went on when the brake was pulled. Thanks for the information. Any other ideas?

 

[msmith1956]

If you have the parking brake set, the brake warning light should be on if the car is running, at least according to the owner's manual for my '04. One way you can check for a stuck brake light switch would be to see if you DRL's are on if the car is in gear, they go off with the parking brake set.