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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/01 Montero Sport -lights on the dash...

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Expert: - 9/16/2004


Question
I had the four wheel drive engaged about three weeks ago in my 01 Montero Sport and when I hit the black top and switched back to 2 wheel drive, the parking brake light indicator on the dash came on. It keep coming on and then going off again, but now it is on and will not go off.
My brake does not seem to be engaged and the MPG has not been affected. I am worried that it is actually an indication of something else being wrong or if this is just a glitch somewhere.

How do I fix it? Most of my driving is done at night and it is starting to drive me nuts...

Thanks
Nate  

Answer
Nate,

It sounds like you may have a broken ground wire, or a stuck switch on your parking brake lever.  This should have nothing to do with the 2 or 4 wheel drive operation.  I would purchase a repair manual, and try to trace out the wiring for the parking brake switch.  A Chilton's or a Hayne's manual can be purchased at most auto parts stores for $20, and they have a lot of information on basic trouble shooting, and repairs, along with wiring diagrams.  These manuals are designed for a year or range of years for specific vehicles, and are invaluable if you are planning on doing any repairs yourself.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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