idiot light question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

autorecycler · 12-09-2002, 11:26 AM

My truck has gauges, and there is an idiot light on the lower left of the speedo that goes on from time to time. I cant read any writing on it. What is it? Oil, Temp and charge are working fine..

BigRed · 12-09-2002, 11:33 AM

I have all idiot lights on my '75 but I've seen them with guages except for the lower left which is a parking brake. Maybe that's it?

autorecycler · 12-09-2002, 12:13 PM

park break is off, but I did have some low pressure this morning. did they have a sensor for fluid level back in 67???

ckhd · 12-09-2002, 02:11 PM

It's on your speedo? On your '67? It's not on the fuel gauge?

One thing you can do is to pull the bulb from the back, and stick a flashlight back there to see what the light is supposed to say.

I didn't think that any of the speedos had lights in them. I was under the impression that the lights were confined to the fuel gauge and on non-gauged pickups, in the center hole.

If it is in the lower left of the fuel gauge, then it's the brake light (I think). Not for parking, but for a pressure difference between the front and rear when you step on the pedal.. It could also be a chaffed wire grounding out.

autorecycler · 12-09-2002, 02:32 PM

On second thought It is on the fuel gage. I bet it is the brakes losing pressure

autorecycler · 12-09-2002, 02:48 PM

Anyone have an idea what to check and which order to do it.

ckhd · 12-09-2002, 04:28 PM

Check for a leaky wheel cylinder. Check for bulging brake hoses (have someone stand on the pedal while you check it out). Check for leaks in the lines & at the fittings. It's possible that one side of the master cylinder isn't putting the pressure like it should (it's only about $20 for a rebuilt MC from checker).

At least that's where I'd check. Oh, and I'd double check the wire to see if it's grounding on something. It's the brown wire that goes to your proportioning valve.

autorecycler · 12-09-2002, 05:05 PM

well when I pulled into the driveway I saw the stain in the driveway around the right rear. Papped the drum and sure enough need a wheel cylinder. Off to the parts store for cylinder, pads, and hardwear.

12-09-2002, 11:26 AM	#1
autorecycler Recycler Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mill City Oregon Posts: 88	idiot light question My truck has gauges, and there is an idiot light on the lower left of the speedo that goes on from time to time. I cant read any writing on it. What is it? Oil, Temp and charge are working fine.. __________________ 72 C20 with a 350. Previous owner swapped the 4 speed for a 700R4 auto. I'm retired and volunteer at state and national parks. I spend summers in Oregon. Found this truck for $800 and offered $600. Paid for it with $$ made from recycling bottles and cans. Oregon pays .05 per can/bottle. Now doing restification with recycled parts purchased with recycling $$.

12-09-2002, 11:33 AM	#2
BigRed Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,680	I have all idiot lights on my '75 but I've seen them with guages except for the lower left which is a parking brake. Maybe that's it? __________________ Scott Shelbourne

12-09-2002, 12:13 PM	#3
autorecycler Recycler Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mill City Oregon Posts: 88	park break is off, but I did have some low pressure this morning. did they have a sensor for fluid level back in 67??? __________________ 72 C20 with a 350. Previous owner swapped the 4 speed for a 700R4 auto. I'm retired and volunteer at state and national parks. I spend summers in Oregon. Found this truck for $800 and offered $600. Paid for it with $$ made from recycling bottles and cans. Oregon pays .05 per can/bottle. Now doing restification with recycled parts purchased with recycling $$.

12-09-2002, 02:11 PM	#4
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	It's on your speedo? On your '67? It's not on the fuel gauge? One thing you can do is to pull the bulb from the back, and stick a flashlight back there to see what the light is supposed to say. I didn't think that any of the speedos had lights in them. I was under the impression that the lights were confined to the fuel gauge and on non-gauged pickups, in the center hole. If it is in the lower left of the fuel gauge, then it's the brake light (I think). Not for parking, but for a pressure difference between the front and rear when you step on the pedal.. It could also be a chaffed wire grounding out. __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans? Last edited by ckhd; 12-09-2002 at 02:14 PM.

12-09-2002, 02:32 PM	#5
autorecycler Recycler Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mill City Oregon Posts: 88	On second thought It is on the fuel gage. I bet it is the brakes losing pressure __________________ 72 C20 with a 350. Previous owner swapped the 4 speed for a 700R4 auto. I'm retired and volunteer at state and national parks. I spend summers in Oregon. Found this truck for $800 and offered $600. Paid for it with $$ made from recycling bottles and cans. Oregon pays .05 per can/bottle. Now doing restification with recycled parts purchased with recycling $$.

12-09-2002, 02:48 PM	#6
autorecycler Recycler Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mill City Oregon Posts: 88	diagnose? Anyone have an idea what to check and which order to do it. __________________ 72 C20 with a 350. Previous owner swapped the 4 speed for a 700R4 auto. I'm retired and volunteer at state and national parks. I spend summers in Oregon. Found this truck for $800 and offered $600. Paid for it with $$ made from recycling bottles and cans. Oregon pays .05 per can/bottle. Now doing restification with recycled parts purchased with recycling $$.

12-09-2002, 04:28 PM	#7
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	Check for a leaky wheel cylinder. Check for bulging brake hoses (have someone stand on the pedal while you check it out). Check for leaks in the lines & at the fittings. It's possible that one side of the master cylinder isn't putting the pressure like it should (it's only about $20 for a rebuilt MC from checker). At least that's where I'd check. Oh, and I'd double check the wire to see if it's grounding on something. It's the brown wire that goes to your proportioning valve. __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

12-09-2002, 05:05 PM	#8
autorecycler Recycler Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mill City Oregon Posts: 88	mystery solved well when I pulled into the driveway I saw the stain in the driveway around the right rear. Papped the drum and sure enough need a wheel cylinder. Off to the parts store for cylinder, pads, and hardwear. __________________ 72 C20 with a 350. Previous owner swapped the 4 speed for a 700R4 auto. I'm retired and volunteer at state and national parks. I spend summers in Oregon. Found this truck for $800 and offered $600. Paid for it with $$ made from recycling bottles and cans. Oregon pays .05 per can/bottle. Now doing restification with recycled parts purchased with recycling $$.

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