2000 Escalade brake light

[bruceb58]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

Nothing is easy anymore. These damn CAN bus systems make everything tough. I would lean towards a switch problem as well. It's the easiest to test at least.

No CAN bus on a 2000 GM...just regular OBDII. Don't need it anyway to test the switch.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

I sent you a PM with links to the 2 manual pages you need to trouble shoot.

Edit: LOL sent it to Splat by mistake. Sent it to Sphelps too. Got confused because you both have dog avatars.

 

[sphelps]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

Thanks Bruce ! Got them saved ..

 

[sphelps]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

Just getting to the switch to test looks near impossible . :facepalm:

In this pic you can just make out the retaining nut that holds the switch in place..

I just don,t see getting to it without pulling the steering column up out of the way . :facepalm:
That will take I think dealing with the air bag unless I can just pull the column up a bit without messing with the wheel ..
Uhhhhhgggg!!!
Also replaced the engine temp sensor ..
Gauge still not working .. :cold: So I guess just grounding the gauge and the needle pegging is not a sufficient means of testing the gauge ..

 

[Harritwo]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

SPhelps, if you have time and can wait, check with the local high schools, OPHS has an auto tech program and the students do good work, have all types of diagnostic tools, and the shop teacher specializes in GM. Might be a resource if you need it.

George

 

[sphelps]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

Harritwo , I have not thought about doing that . As luck ,and a lot of swearing , would have it . Me and my sil have successfully replaced the brake switch ! And it has solved the problem !
I sure don't want to do that again cuss it was a royal PITA !!
Now I just have to figure out the temp gauge problem . I changed the sensor and had the instrument cluster tested . Everything checked out good with the gauges but it still will not get but a little over 100 deg on the gauge . :noidea:
Thanks for all the help guys !

 

[Fun Times]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

Now I just have to figure out the temp gauge problem . I changed the sensor and had the instrument cluster tested . Everything checked out good with the gauges but it still will not get but a little over 100 deg on the gauge . :noidea:
Thanks for all the help guys !

Maybe the engine is not getting hot enough to go over 100 degrees? If the thermostat is stuck open, it may not allow the engine to build enough heat.

A quick check with an infrared heat gun may help tell a story.

 

[sphelps]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

I did check with an infrared gun . I shot it on the sensor and on the block right next to it . It varied temps from 160 to just under 200 . Not sure how close the actual water temp would be in the block . Checking temp at radiator was around 160/180 . Not a lot of flow . I have a family member that owns a radiator shop . Gunna try and run it by him and see if he can figure it out . I just hate driving it not knowing what the real temp is .

Just had a thought . If I take the sensor out and place it in hot water with another gauge in the water would that work at telling if it,s reading right . Or would it the sensor need grounding ..

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

Or would it the sensor need grounding ..

The sensor would need grounding but a test lead will allow you to do that. If the sensor is big, a jumper cable will work.

 

[sphelps]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

Ground to the block or the neg on the battery ?

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

If it's a single wire on the sensor, just ground the wire. The gauge should peg out. If it does, then you have a bad sending unit, if it doesn't then it's in the wiring to the gauge or the gauge.

a heads up:
The sending unit it just a variable resistor, when the motor over heats it goes to no resistance to the block. So if you wrap the new sensor with Teflon tape and no ground to block it won't work. :facepalm:

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

Ground to the block or the neg on the battery ?

Either

 

[sphelps]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

Gauge does peg when grounded . Installed new sensor with Teflon tape . Should I use liquid sealer on threads ? The needle does move just a little to just a tad over 100 .so ya think the tape might be the problem ? It is single wire type .

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

yep!!!!! been there did the same.
Most of the time the new sensor has the sealer already on threads, so you just install.
Remember the sending unit is a soft material that will seal without anything. I'd try that first. Then a liquid sealer if it leaks.
huts

 

[sphelps]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

Just pulled the tape off the threads and still the same problem . I then rechecked the gauge by grounding out . The needle pegged . I guess I will put the sensor in hot water grounded and see what happens . It seems a little unlikely that the water temp at the sensor , even if the t-stat might be stuck open, would only get to just above 100 degs .
I,m starting to think I should have stuck with my Fords .. :facepalm::lol:

 

[sphelps]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

Ok I tested the old sensor with the hot water in a pot . I used my infrared temp gauge to compare it with the dash gauge . They read pretty much the same within a couple deg . So I guess that means the engine water temp is only running a little over a 100 deg . Is this possible ?

 

[wrench 3]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

If the lights stay on with the pedal part way down, the problem is definitely the switch. If you do have to drop the steering column, disconnect the battery and wate 10 minuets before working on it.
Are you sure that the engine is getting above 100*. Could just be a thermostat problem.

 

[wrench 3]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

Sorry if I repeated anyone's posts. somehow I missed the hole second page of the thread.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

So I guess that means the engine water temp is only running a little over a 100 deg . Is this possible ?

What temp was the water?

Have you changed your thermostat lately?(not sure if you already told us this or not)

 

[sphelps]

Re: 2000 Escalade brake light

The water in the pot started around 200 and then cooled down to around 140 . This was reflected at the dash temp gauge . I have not checked the t-stat yet . I don't want to open the housing until I have a new gasket in case I tear it . I think I will go ahead and pick up a t-stat also .