I have a 2000 Ford Escort ZX2. When I drive it and shift into second gear for the first time while the car is on, my parking brake light on the dash comes on. I check the parking brake and it is not engaged. What is wrong with it and what can I do to fix it? The light also stays on basically no matter what until I shut the car off.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder. It might be low and your shift makes it slosh around and activate the light. I think the same light is often used for both low fluid warning as well as parking brake. But I could be wrong.
You are correct.
Don
after checking fluid the next thng i'd do is check the switch on brake pedal..good luck..
It sounds like you are talking about the 'brake failure' warning light. This means the brakes have failed and the vehicle is not safe to drive until you find out 'why' the brakes have failed.
If you get stopped by the police for any reason and they see this light on, you will be on the back end of a tow truck likely with an expensive ticket to boot. (been there, he would not believe for one second it was a failure in th park brake cable causing the light to go on.)
The fluid check is the first step to see if one side hasn't got a leak and emptied out.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail > I have a 2000 Ford Escort ZX2. When I drive it and shift into second gearMotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.