GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Brake Warning System Schematics

1

Did you review the system operation and perform the necessary inspection?

Go to Step 2

Go to Symptoms - Hydraulic Brakes

2

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Observe the red Brake indicator.

Does the red Brake indicator illuminate briefly during the bulb check?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 12

3

Apply the park brake.

Does the red Brake indicator illuminate?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Release the park brake.
  3. Disconnect the brake fluid level switch.
  4. Connect a 3 amp fused jumper wire between the signal circuit of the brake fluid level switch and a the ground circuit of the brake fluid level switch.
  5. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Does the red Brake indicator illuminate?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 8

5

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the park brake switch.
  3. Connect a 3 amp fused jumper wire between the signal circuit of the park brake switch and a good ground.
  4. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Does the red Brake indicator illuminate?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 6

6

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Diconnect the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) module.
  3. Connect a 3 amp fused jumper wire between the brake waring signal circuit of the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) module connector, and a good ground.
  4. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Does the red Brake indicator illuminate?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 7

7

Test the signal circuit of the park brake switch for a high resistance or a open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 12

8

Test the signal circuit of the brake fluid level switch for a high resistance or a open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 9

9

Test the ground circuit of the brake fluid level switch for a high resistance or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 12

10

Inspect for poor case ground or poor connections at the harness connector of the park brake switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 13

11

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the brake fluid level switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 14

12

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the instrument cluster (IPC). Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 15

13

Replace the park brake switch. Refer to Parking Brake Indicator Switch Replacement in Park Brake.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 17

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14

Replace the brake fluid level switch. Refer to Brake Fluid Level Indicator Switch Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 17

--

15

Replace the instrument cluster (IPC). Refer to Instrument Cluster Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gauges and Console.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 17

--

16

Replace the Daytime Running Lights module (DRL). Refer to Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Control Module Replacement in Lighting Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 17

--

17

Operate the vehicle within the conditions for running the symptom.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 2