Is there a way to check the parking brake lamp switch without removing the console?

[Sqrly]

Hey people,

When I put the parking brake on the light on the dash doesn't come on. The light does work, it's comes on momentarily with the rest of the the indicators when I start it.

Is there an eletrical way to check if the switch is working without taking everything apart to physically access the switch? Test lite, multimeter, scan tool app?

Note: I can't play videos on my stereo either as it dones't seem to be getting the "the parking brake is on" signal. I did install the PAC RP5-GM11 adapter when I put the aftermarket stereo in.

 

[TJBaker57]

Hey people,

When I put the parking brake on the light on the dash doesn't come on. The light does work, it's comes on momentarily with the rest of the the indicators when I start it.

Is there an eletrical way to check if the switch is working without taking everything apart to physically access the switch? Test lite, multimeter, scan tool app?

Note: I can't play videos on my stereo either as it dones't seem to be getting the "the parking brake is on" signal. I did install the PAC RP5-GM11 adapter when I put the aftermarket stereo in.

Well,,, maybe.

My notes indicate bit 5 of PID 2102 from the BCM is the status of the park brake switch.

 

[Sqrly]

Well,,, maybe.

My notes indicate bit 5 of PID 2102 from the BCM is the status of the park brake switch.

I understand what you wrote but I don't know how to use that info .. keep reading

.. so I opened my car scanner app and started poking around to see if I can figure it out on my own and saw this, DOH! I'll pair up the vehicle tomorrow and see if that actually works,



Also, after posting my question it dawned on me I can probably get to the switch by just removing the center console storage box.

 

[TJBaker57]

I understand what you wrote but I don't know how to use that info .. keep reading

.. so I opened my car scanner app and started poking around to see if I can figure it out on my own and saw this, DOH! I'll pair up the vehicle tomorrow and see if that actually works,

View attachment 117730

Also, after posting my question it dawned on me I can probably get to the switch by just removing the center console storage box.

More than likely you will need to create your own custom PID in Car Scanner.

Something like this:





The output will look like this,,, a value of 0 for switch open and a value of 1 for switch closed.

 

[TJBaker57]

Another test can be done with a multimeter. The BCM puts power towards the switch on the body harness extension cable. That's the flat green ribbon cable at the fuseblock under the back seat.

When the brake switch closes it grounds out that circuit taking the voltage low.

With a test meter you can verify the BCM is outputting a voltage on that circuit. The terminal is A4.

 

[Sqrly]

Thanks TJ. I figured it would be you that could do it with a scan tool

Anyways, after realizing using logic was an error, I discovered that you get to the parking brake switch by removing the front passenger seat.

After doing so, and taking the opportunity to vacuum those impossible to reach spots, it was easy to diagnose the problem. It's actually the same culprit as almost everything else I've had to fix since buying this vehicle. The guy who worked on it before me.