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> Big red battery light, flashing
914itis
post Sep 1 2011, 03:37 PM
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The big red battery light on the dashboard is flashing. The battery keeps charge and the alternator recharges it. What could be wrong? where to start looking?


This is on my friend's 75 .18
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eric9144
post Sep 1 2011, 03:41 PM
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Sounds like the brake warning light is attached to the wrong indicator... I don't remember the Generator light 'flashing' it is either on or off... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

Someone correct me if I'm wrong...
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underthetire
post Sep 1 2011, 03:52 PM
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Sounds like the brake light. Check you e brake handle.
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914itis
post Sep 1 2011, 04:00 PM
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Thanks,

I guest the "B" is for brake, not battery.
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underthetire
post Sep 1 2011, 04:01 PM
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Yup, and the small G is for the battery(generator) even though the cars have alternators (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
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rick 918-S
post Sep 1 2011, 05:17 PM
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The one on Sandys Ravenna car is doing that also. (73) I haven't started the car yet just connected the battery and flipped the key for the first time. When you figure it out be sure to post the fix.
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Steve
post Sep 1 2011, 07:18 PM
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If you recently bleed your brakes the light will also flash. You have to push the little button on the side of the master cylinder to reset it.
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VaccaRabite
post Sep 1 2011, 07:31 PM
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If you have not bled your brakes, you may have a leak in there somewhere. Start looking.

Zach
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rick 918-S
post Sep 1 2011, 09:21 PM
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QUOTE(rick 918-S @ Sep 1 2011, 06:17 PM) *

The one on Sandys Ravenna car is doing that also. (73) I haven't started the car yet just connected the battery and flipped the key for the first time. When you figure it out be sure to post the fix.


Oh ya! I just replaced the master cylinder, rebuilt all the calipers and replaced all the rubber brake hoses, new fluid, etc. I don't remember seeing a reset on the switch that is screwed into the master cylinder. Where in the reset? I can't find my chiltons or my haynes. Could be the E-brake handle switch considering the handle removed from the car before I purchased it.
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Steve
post Sep 1 2011, 11:43 PM
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QUOTE(rick 918-S @ Sep 1 2011, 08:21 PM) *

QUOTE(rick 918-S @ Sep 1 2011, 06:17 PM) *

The one on Sandys Ravenna car is doing that also. (73) I haven't started the car yet just connected the battery and flipped the key for the first time. When you figure it out be sure to post the fix.


Oh ya! I just replaced the master cylinder, rebuilt all the calipers and replaced all the rubber brake hoses, new fluid, etc. I don't remember seeing a reset on the switch that is screwed into the master cylinder. Where in the reset? I can't find my chiltons or my haynes. Could be the E-brake handle switch considering the handle removed from the car before I purchased it.

The flashing red "B" light is usually either related to the emergency brake handle or the button on the side of the master cylinder.
If you reach your hand in from the drivers front fenderwell, you can feel the left side of the master cylinder. On my car its a little rubber boot on the left side of the master cylinder. If you push on the center of the rubber boot, you will feel the pin go in. That was all it takes to reset my 19mm master cylinder after bleeding the brakes or causing a loss in pressure from replacing a brake line or caliper.
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avidfanjpl
post Sep 2 2011, 12:33 AM
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Mine would not reset so I replaced it. Worked like a charm and does not leak when you are changing it out.

Those are notoriously cheaply made nylon.

Got a single pole for almost nothing from AA last year.

John
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dlestep
post Sep 2 2011, 06:44 AM
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Pull off the boot and locate the tiny little plastic button and push it towards the master cylinder. This resets the system, and turns off the brake system warning lamp.
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nsr-jamie
post Sep 2 2011, 07:07 AM
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Some of the master cylinders have them and some do not...I am not sure why...my car did not have the reset switch...I had this problem too but traced it to a wiring problem in my combo gauge from the past owner who did awful wiring work and has taken me years to redo his work of so called repairs.

Here is a picture I found of the switch...I converted to a 19mm master cylinder and it doesn't have the switch but I know a guy with a 23mm one and his has it.
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rick 918-S
post Sep 17 2011, 11:56 AM
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OK, this needs a bump. I removed the lower pan and checked the reset on the master cylinder switch. I don't have one. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) I installed the missing "E" brake handle and rested it against the switch. The wire is going to the switch. Installed the battery and turned on the ignition.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) No joy (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Any other idea's what I should check now?

As a side note, I do not have the headlights or tail lights wired.

Is there a second switch location? What about the brake switch for the brake lights?

Fishing for ideas. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) Blink....blink.....blink....blink....
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swl
post Sep 17 2011, 05:29 PM
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no wires going to the MC? sounds a little strange.

On the handbrake side the flashing is turned on by shorting to ground. Sometimes the switches go bad. On at least one occassion the wires have been pinched by the seat hardware and shorted there.

If you can try pulling the wire off the handbrake switch.
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rick 918-S
post Sep 17 2011, 08:47 PM
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QUOTE(swl @ Sep 17 2011, 06:29 PM) *

no wires going to the MC? sounds a little strange.

On the handbrake side the flashing is turned on by shorting to ground. Sometimes the switches go bad. On at least one occassion the wires have been pinched by the seat hardware and shorted there.

If you can try pulling the wire off the handbrake switch.


I have been out at the lake all day making concrete planks.

Well, there are two wires on the master cylinder switch but no reset button between them.

I will try unplugging the wires and shorting them to ground.

Thanks
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914itis
post Sep 17 2011, 08:54 PM
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Mine was the emergency handle. it was a bit up. I pushed it down and the light went away.
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nsr-jamie
post Sep 17 2011, 09:46 PM
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also don't forget the actualy switch under the ebrake handle too, those get pretty dirty and I had to pull mine out and gave it a good cleaning, checked the wires and cleaned the contacts. It needs to go all the way down to turn off the red light if its not the master cylinder
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pilothyer
post Sep 17 2011, 10:03 PM
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QUOTE(nsr-jamie @ Sep 2 2011, 08:07 AM) *

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Some of the master cylinders have them and some do not...I am not sure why...my car did not have the reset switch...I had this problem too but traced it to a wiring problem in my combo gauge from the past owner who did awful wiring work and has taken me years to redo his work of so called repairs.

Here is a picture I found of the switch...I converted to a 19mm master cylinder and it doesn't have the switch but I know a guy with a 23mm one and his has it.


In the picture of the master cylinder, I see the reset switch...it is the rubber covered piece in the center of the switch....right next to where the wire plugs onto.
On some switches that don't seem to have one you can reset it by simply unscrewing the switch and pulling the plastic actuator back out.
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rick 918-S
post Sep 17 2011, 10:39 PM
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My reset actuator pin is in the back side of the switch. It's spring loaded and seems to move nicely. I unscrewed it and while it was out I reconnected the wires and the flashing stopped. I could activate the flasher by pressing the plastic pin. So the switch seems to be working.

I have one of two problems as far as I can figure. Either the switch is the incorrect one for the 19mm master cylinder I installed. (the plastic pin is too long and gets pressed when installed) or the switch is bad.

I reinstalled the switch with two copper crush washers to space it out slightly. I tried one first but the switch was still depressing. Now the inner plastic switch pin is not being compressed and setting off the flasher.

After I was able to stop the flashing I pulled the "E" brake handle and the light started to flash again. So the "E" brake warning light is working as it should.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Anyone ever had this issue when installing a 19mm master? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)
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