My brake light doesn't work in my 87 T/A. The only time that it comes on is when I turn the key. If I pull the E-Brake on it does not come on. How do I fix this?

 

if it doesn't work at all, thats a problem, but it sounds like it works as long as the engine is on. The e-brake has never turned the brake lights on in any car or truck i've driven. It's not a big deal at all if the brake lights don't come on when the ignition is off, probally just means somewhere in it's life the source for the brakes was switched from constant 12v to switched 12v with the switch being the key...

doubt that helps any but that might give you something to check until someone else answers your questions better.

 

That's absolutely true! The E brake will not turn the brake lights on, if that were the case the manual trans cars would have a dead battery every morning

As a matter of fact, it wouldn't be normal, at least from what I've seen.
Regarding the key being on, it's not a biggie either, probably changed sometime ago. Don't worry about it, as long as they work during normal car operation.

Hope this helps!

 

I think he's referring to the "brake warning light" in the dash not the tail lights. Yes, it should come on with parking brake engaged. It sounds like the connection or switch at the e-brake may be loose, broken or dirty.

 

OOPS!! Sorry about that, I thought he was talking about the tail lights, my bad!

Mine doesn't work either, if that's what you're talking about.

 

It runs off a switch mounted on your brake lever mechanism, in the center console. It's probably stuck shut. Try some WD-40 or something.

Ed