Parking Brake Light: Inoperative

[Douglas]

I inadvertently (okay, stupidly) drove with the parking brake on for a minute or two and, though the parking brake still functions, the light on the dash no longer illuminates to show it's on. How do I get the little light to work again?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[Tom]

Didn't know there was a light for the parking brake...

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1971 280sl Tunis Beige Metallic (restored & enhanced)
1971 280sl Tobacco Brown (low mileage stock)
1970 280sl Deep Red (Project Car)
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[hauser]

I also did not know about a parking light.  Is it just a light or does it have the brake symbol, and is it part of the center gauge?

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[A Dalton]

Does the light come on when the door is opened ??

[Douglas]

There is DEFINITELY supposed to be a light that comes on when the parking brake is on. I believe it's the same light as the door light, but I'm not sure. It's in the center gauge in that same general area as the door light and the hi-beam light.

Yes, my light does illuminate when the door is open.

Finally, I have to admit I've been through this before -- I did this on my last SL only my mechanic bailed me out and somehow got the light to go on again. He was so matter-of-fact about it that I never even asked him how he did it. I'll bet it's a simple adjustment of some kind.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[Richard Madison]

Doug:

Are you taking some kind of new pills?

I've never seen a parking brake indicator and I don't believe the Owners Manual has a parking brake light on the page where it shows what all the dash indicators are.

Either show us how to make the light work or send me some of those pills.

Richard M  )

[hands_aus]

On the 280 SLs, I thought the door light and the brake fluid level warning light were the same thing.
This is not a feature on the 230 SL and early 250SLs.

Bob (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[A Dalton]

Nothing in the schematics for this feature, so it may have been added ... if so, I would suspect it to be a switch mounted on the floor , activated via handbrake lever..
 Possible a US DOT Saftey Import thing or very late model ??
 Never saw one on 113.  And I do have all schematics for 113s , right up to 280SL/8.
 However, the schematics for 108/111 do show a parking brake sw that ground the same circuit as fluid warning.
 Possibly added to SL, but never shown on schematics ??
 I do not doubt there is one on your car as you had it fixed once before, so it would be easiest to just lift the rug and see if there is a grounding switch there..if so, it should be a simple lever adjustment to complete the grounding circuit.
 You know the lamp is good [ that is why I asked about the door open ]
 Let us know ..
 "inquiring minds"

[Douglas]

I'll show all of you! You'll see! You'll see! Now where are those pills?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[A Dalton]

Seeing that this post is Brake Warning specific, one might want to go here and make a copy for your tech info libraries...

 http://113.mbz.org/hints/brakelite.htm

[Bob G ✝︎]

There are two red indicator lights in the center gauge cluster. One red light is for the alternator warning light and the other operates when the door is open or when the brake fluid in the reservoir is below its specified level. There is not to my knowledge any hand brake warning light that I am aware of unless it was added on later models.
Bob Geco

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by Douglas

I'll show all of you! You'll see! You'll see! Now where are those pills?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

Doug,
Hi.  It's been a couple days...... any proof?  Out of pills?  [:p]

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[Douglas]

Haven't had the chance to investigate further, but I'll say this -- both my 280 SLs (both 1970, but one Euro and one US) had the same feature. The brake light would light up when the parking brake was engaged. Surely someone else out there can confirm this as well.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[Richard Madison]

Doug:

We all would be most pleased if you can show us the brake warning light but I fear it is not the brake warning light that is inoperative, it may be your memory.

Just so you don't think its early Alzheimers, is it possible that when you had the brake on, you also had the door open then by the time you released the brake, the door was closed and you didn't notice which  caused the light to go off?

Richard M

[A Dalton]

I have schematics for both Euro and US version of 1970 113.044 and they show no such circuit.
 Possibly , due to the fact that the lamp comes on every time you enter the car, you assumed it was park brake warning and you let the brake off, thinking you put the lamp out ??
 It's a mystery..........

[Benz Dr.]

On the 108/109 and 111 Coupes there IS a '' parking brake on '' warning light. However, it's white, not red. The switch is under the dash beside the pull handle. In all cases the switch is on or near the lever as part of the assembly.
It would be possible to install this feature in a 113 - there's a spot in the centre cluster for a light and it could be made to work. These are the same as the 111 Coupe along with the tach and speedo ( or very close to the same ) You would need to rig up a switch on or near the floor. No reason for it not to work.

Daniel G Caron

[Bob G ✝︎]

My father inadvertenly did the same thing Douglas did when he picked up his car at the factory in 1968. Now one told hom about the hand brake until he  people started to use their horns to warn him of trouble on the autobaun with a smoking rear set of pads and shoes. Of course Mercedes took car of it and after he got back he installed a orange warrening lamp on the dash so that any time the hand brake is on it remines you.
Do not ask how it is wired I just now it works.
Bob Geco