W203 Parking Brake Light stuck on!

[tujbx]

Hi all,
I just bought a used mercedes w203 200K from a private seller. 10 minutes after when starting the car, even though parking brake had not been applied, the parking brake warning light came on. When I drive it gives the main alarm saying release your PB! No amount of engaging and releasing seems to make any difference.
On doing a service, I cannot see any problem with the function of the PB mechanism, but the pads had worn considerably and therefore it appeared low on fluid. I read in the manual that this could also cause the light to come on. New pads and fluid later, light still on. Is a visit to a diagnostic computer needed to reset the light, or is there another problem such as a switch on the brake release lever?
Any help would be appreciated!

 

[clive williams]

Hi all,
I just bought a used mercedes w203 200K from a private seller. 10 minutes after when starting the car, even though parking brake had not been applied, the parking brake warning light came on. When I drive it gives the main alarm saying release your PB! No amount of engaging and releasing seems to make any difference.
On doing a service, I cannot see any problem with the function of the PB mechanism, but the pads had worn considerably and therefore it appeared low on fluid. I read in the manual that this could also cause the light to come on. New pads and fluid later, light still on. Is a visit to a diagnostic computer needed to reset the light, or is there another problem such as a switch on the brake release lever?
Any help would be appreciated!

My 500E keeps the parking brake warning light on on cold mornings even though I've released it. By flicking the pedal up the light goes out. Therefore the switch is at fault. Have you tried the same? I consider the fix is too much effort having investigated once.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[television]

It should be just the PB switch mounted over the pedal, Go to the site. look up your car, go to Electrics, and you will see it is item 45.


http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb0.asp?TP=1


Malcolm

 

[tujbx]

Cheers

Ill have a look at that tomorrow mate will update when I have a look!

 

[television]

My 500E keeps the parking brake warning light on on cold mornings even though I've released it. By flicking the pedal up the light goes out. Therefore the switch is at fault. Have you tried the same? I consider the fix is too much effort having investigated once.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

Clive, How can you drive around knowing that in just 5 min's you could adjust it.

malcolm

 

[tujbx]

Weird! I just reset the service computer after doing oil, filters, plugs, brake pads and after this the parking brake warning has went out and seems to now be functioning as normal. I did notice when this first happened, that the brake fluid seemed a little low, and on reading the manual, it states that this can put the light on too. It also says that topping up the fluid does not fix it, it needs to visit a dealer. Im wondering if resetting the assyst has also reset a persistent error which is designed for safety? Anyways, all fixed now anyway, thanks for the help though!

 

[clive williams]

Clive, How can you drive around knowing that in just 5 min's you could adjust it.

malcolm

Malcolm, I've tried. The problem only exhibits itself in cold weather and therefore its a dragging cable. I have spent painful hours upside down in the footwell trying to lubricate the mechanism and cable only for it to re-occur at the next cold spell. Best time I've managed is 9 months in between red lights (???!!! that doesn't sound quite right!). All locatable joints have been checked and lubricated. As a quick flick with the toe is enough to release it them it can't be too bad.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[tom7035]

Malcolm, I've tried. The problem only exhibits itself in cold weather and therefore its a dragging cable. I have spent painful hours upside down in the footwell trying to lubricate the mechanism and cable only for it to re-occur at the next cold spell. Best time I've managed is 9 months in between red lights (???!!! that doesn't sound quite right!). All locatable joints have been checked and lubricated. As a quick flick with the toe is enough to release it them it can't be too bad.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

This is why I've always advocated on previous posts re. use of the weird MB parking brake to USE it, instead of just throwing it into park and leaving it, like most MB owners seem to do. Helps prevent seizure of the cables! Tut Tut!

 

[television]

This is why I've always advocated on previous posts re. use of the weird MB parking brake to USE it, instead of just throwing it into park and leaving it, like most MB owners seem to do. Helps prevent seizure of the cables! Tut Tut!

I was thinking that Clive has done a lot of lowering jobs in the past, He must have a spare front spring that would fit over the cable at the rear,that would really stop the problem

Malcolm

 

[tujbx]

Hi guys,
Another update! The light came back on again so the reset of the service computer did not fix it. On looking closer, when I tried to lift the pedal manually it would not come up any further, until I pulled the release lever and lifted it, and this made the light go out. We looked at the top of the pedal assembly when the footbrake was fully released and there was a lot of slack on the cable. Back seats out and adjustment to take up the slack has cured the problem! Thanks again for the help. had the search here to find out where the handbrake adjustment was accessed from!

 

[tom7035]

........and I'll wager you're a few pennies better off now after lifting out the rear seat squab!!

 

[television]

........and I'll wager you're a few pennies better off now after lifting out the rear seat squab!!

Hi Tom, when I got my SL, the most I got out of it was 1 euro, I normally get a few pen tops, but not this time.

Malcolm

 

[tujbx]

LOL The guys before me had a young family, and I now have an assortment of chocolate (I assume its chocolate) covered happy meal toys, felt tip pens and melted sweets. im thinkin of shovin them on ebay!

 

[Blobcat]

LOL The guys before me had a young family, and I now have an assortment of chocolate (I assume its chocolate) covered happy meal toys, felt tip pens and melted sweets. im thinkin of shovin them on ebay!

I will have to look out for those melted sweets on ebay, do you have a buy it now price or fixed reserve?