What turns this brake light on that is on the cluster, first light on the lower left.

Mine is on all the time.

I thought it was e brake, but not sure if it is anything else.

 

If that brake light is on all the time it means you have brake problems . So check the pads first. It is not a switch problem.

 

any more info on what triggers it? let me add their is no ecu in the car

 

Cluster swap ??? ( not all 82-89 clusters are plug & play compatable )


BRAKE light is normally activated by a switched ground signal.... from either the parking brake handle switch or the Pressure switch on the MC.

 

ok thanks its original cluster i will have to dig into it

 

How does the car stop compared to how it used too. Or has the light been on since you got the car? Look for brake fluid leaks especially at the wheels. Try jacking up the back so the wheels are off the ground and (on axle stands) run the car in gear (park brake off) and see if the brakes stop the back wheels. Then you could try jacking the front wheels and spin them and check the brakes. If the brakes won't stop one or more of the wheels it narrows down the issue. If the wheels all stop quickly that MAY not be the issue. Then dig into the center console and find the connection to the e-brake and check it is operating correctly when the lever is on/off. Then....

 

Just to add what others have posted.

Assuming that the brake light warning circuit is functioning properly, the brake warning light has two functions. When it's illuminated it means:

1. The parking brake is on or not fully released. If the parking brake is released and the light is on, most likely the switch is bad. I don't recall there being an adjustment for this switch.

2. A fluid pressure difference has been detected between the front and rear brakes. This means there's a brake fluid leak someplace.

The light is not connected to any kind of brake lining wear sensor.