<Hopefully, Dave felt the brake pedal go to the floor and didn't need that
warning light to tell him he had no brakes....or that his brake warning
light was broken..
 Don Hanson>

Actually, something similar happended to me last week end.  I left the
parking brake on for about 20 miles.  Loaded w/canoing stuff and 6 people.
Noticed parking brake was on when tried to slow for a stop and brakes went
near the floor!.  Turned off parking brake and remembered that this may
correct itself if brake fluid heated up and then cooled.  Got my full brakes
back later and fluid level OK, but was really hot and smelled odd for a
minute there. Could not see the brake light indicator due to placement of
steering wheel.
Michael in San Antonio
91GL AT 'Gringo'
73 Beetle