Parking Brake Light comes on when shifting

[patbluecruiser]

2003 PT Cruiser 5-speed, NA 30,000 miles

For the last month or so, when I shift, usually 1-2, the parking brake light will come on and beep as couple of times. It does not happen all the time. I know if you are moving and pull the e-brake, the light will come on a beep.

Anyone have this problem. I do not drive the car all the time, its my wife's car. Could I not be letting the clutch out all the way? It just started doing it.

Thanks-
Andy

[Dragula]

Have you looked at the brake fluid level in the master cylinder? If it's low (due to normal wear on the brake pads) it will cause that to happen when you accelerate. The brake fluid sloshes around and the sensor is tripped until it settles down. If you top off the fluid it stops the problem.

If you have that problem check the brake pads for wear. Mine were only half worn when it happened to me at 35,000 miles, but better safe than sorry.

[MichaelDay]

Brake fluid level is the answer. Have your brake pads checked before you just add fluid. The brake fuild sensors in the PT are very sensitive and you probably have pads left. If so, just add about 1/3 the amount of fluid it takes to fill the reservoir. Your problem will go away until the brake pads wear down more.

[patbluecruiser]

Thanks guys...I will check the brake fluid. I put on my snow tires a couple of weeks again and the pads are fine. I will probably replace them this summer.

Thanks,

Andy

[quicksilverdon]

Agree it's the brake fluid. My pads were about 1/2 gone when the light/chime arived.
Suggestion - change pads anyway and put ceramic pads in - Raybestos is what I used, I hear NAPA sells the same ones - get pure ceramic, not a blend.
The ceramics last and last, but most of all, NO DUST! The new pads will push the fluid level back up. Changed my pads to ceramic at maybe 30,000 miles, now have 80,000 miles, lite/chime never came back.

[sakigt]

lol. Were all having this problem at the same time...although I knew what it was because it happened in my escort.

[CHROMEDCRUISER]

I'm having about the same problem, except that when I hit the gas the brake light will come on. On my last oil change (about 500 miles ago) I had the mechanic look at the pads, rotors, lines, and check the fluid. All the pads and rotors were fine, the lines were tight, and the fluids were where they should be. Is there another problem I need to check on?