Parking Brake Light On (Failed VA State Inspection Because of It)

Hi all!

Quick question. I have a 2006 Prius that I've had since 2012. The parking brake light was intermittently having a hard time turning off every time I disengaged the brake and became more inconsistent until finally, now, for about 6 months the light has just remained on the entire time, regardless of whether or not the brake was engaged.

Just to clarify the brake is still fully functional and will prevent the car from rolling when engaged.

I recently failed my inspection because of the light. The mechanics of the brake are fine, but the light wont turn off. They quoted me around $1,000 to fix due to them having to rip out the whole dash to get to the parking brake assembly (8 hours of labor, yay) I did not have $1,000 to drop, so I didn't get it done and left with my rejection sticker.

I've done a lot of research and found that I can buy a whole assembly for roughly $150 or just the switch for around $25, however, is there any way to access the pedal to do the repairs without having to take the interior of the car apart?

I've also heard that it could mean my brake fluid is low? But they didn't mention that during the inspection.

Alternatively, would you suggest/is it possible to somehow simply get the brake light to turn off (a fuse or way to pull the bulb, etc.)? I simply want to pass the inspection and it seems ridiculous to pay $1,000 to fix a problem that does not affect the car mechanically in any way.

Thoughts? Ideas?

(P.S. doing a replacement of my front passenger headlight myself tomorrow(it keeps turning off while I'm driving), found the HID bulb on Amazon for $43, anyone else find it ridiculous that AutoZone/Toyota Charge $150-$175 for the same bulb?)

 

Thank you! I was so hoping I'd be able to get to the switch without taking that all apart. I will let you know how it goes!

 

Yep, checked that when doing the headlight replacement, it is at maximum.

 

I mean, the shop I took it to, and my own looking determined that it was the switch that was busted. like, the parking brake crushed the switch due to poor design. I'm about to go outside and try and just get the light to turn off now by doing as nh70 said.

Like I've said, the brake itself is fully functional, as are my vehicle brakes, mechanically the car is having no problems braking and is operating normally, it is simply the light on the dash that will not go off. This happened gradually over time, it was not an instantaneous thing, I would have to engage and disengage the parking brake several times at various depths to try and get the light to go off, and then one day nothing I did would get it to turn off.

Is it possible to replace the switch without doing intricate surgery or is there no access to the screws I would need to get to from underneath?

 

So, an hour and a half later and I managed to get the brake light off and I replaced my passenger HID lightbulb.

I now understand exactly what you mean about needing a right angle screwdriver and immense patience. I almost ran out of the latter just trying to get the cable unplugged from the switch assembly. It has a tiny catch that you somehow have to press that is the size of 1/2 of a needle nose plier that you just cannot press while the switch is attached to the brake assembly unless you have freaky long/skinny/dextrous hands the likes of which I've never seen. Luckily(or not?) my switch was apparently not well seated in the brake (probably caused by whatever destroyed the switches functioning. And it actually fell off and I was able to unplug the cable from it. The light is off. Badabing!

Gonna go take it for inspection tomorrow!

Thanks so much, nh70! You definitely just saved me $1,000 visit to my mechanic.

 

Yeah, I've had them, on past cars, try to fail me on wipers, and charge $50 to replace them.

I mean, I understand that the dash light indicators are important and all, but they failed a car that has no mechanical problems, simply a stuck light. Yet that wouldn't pass. Oh well, gonna go try tomorrow now that I've got the light off!

Oh, and my registration went up on my vehicle last year by like, $50 dollars because I am driving a "fuel efficient vehicle" so I 'don't pay enough of my fair share in gas tax to keep the roads in operable order'. Such. B.S.

 

YEP. Went through the midtown tunnel 2x back in April to get my boyfriend ready to deploy and they JUST (as in 2 days ago) sent me the bill for it for $3,75, but if I don't pay by the 28th, I will get charged $27.50 in late fees/penalties. Just a smidge ridiculous I would say.