brake warning light, red light at top of left dashboard gauge Options

[dlindzey]

I think it is a brake warning light and from what I have read it subserves two functions. If still on after the engine starts either parking brake is on or you have brake failure. In my case parking brake is not on and brakes seem to work ok. It came on a few months ago and then went off and I thought might be a short so I have just not used the parking brake for months. Today it is on again and won't go off.

There is not much working space around the parking brake so I never did find the little button that is activated/deactivated for the parking brake.

Anyone know what I am talking about or have any suggestions for trouble shooting the matter? TIA dll-----I forgot 1971 model

[dlindzey]

thank you everybody for the advice and been there done that information. Let me update you and ask some further questions

I never had the blinking brake light failure indicator issue. My warning light just stays on post start up.

I was able to get the seat out and then was able to get the switch out. It only has one contact for wiring and has a brown wire with a white stripe. It seems functional so I reinstalled it and the brake warning light remains on. Many of the replacement parts have two contacts for the switch so not sure what to think of that. I ordered one from auto atlanta that seems to have just one contact so I will see if that corrects the problem but I am thinking it is something else.

Is there any explanation other than failing master cylinder? Fuses, shorts any well know alternative points of failures.

I have turned my tire and can see parts of the master cyclinder but can't get at it to reset a switch or see if it is leaking. Is the plate that has been referenced underneath the car so I need jackstands or a lift to further trouble shoot? Any further recommendations for those that have been in this situation?