Thanks Dennis -- interesting.  I did replace the starter yesterday
(Saturday).  I drove it once Saturday, and noticed this symptom this
morning.  I can't say for sure the brake warning light wasn't on when I
drove it Saturday after the replacement.

But -- no cruise control and no starter boost relay.

-George
'90 Westfalia automatic

On Sun, Apr 9, 2017 at 6:37 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> In addition to the hand brake lever and low brake fluid level switches,
> this indicator is also tied into the alternator warning system and the
> starter circuit if you have cruise control. If a starter boost relay was
> added this can also be a problem.
>
> Dennis,
> From my phone.
> ------------------------------
> From: George Gaudette <gcgaudette@GMAIL.COM>
> Sent: ‎4/‎9/‎2017 1:50 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Brakes dashboard light -- DANGER?
>
> Aaand on to my next issue:
>
> I have a '90 automatic Westy.  The brake warning light in the instrument
> panel won't go out.  Brake fluid is good (this van has the brake fluid
> level sensor cap).  No change (no flicker or anything) regardless of
> whether I release the e-brake or press the foot pedal.  I have not tried
> driving the van more than a few feet.
>
> What I really need to know short-term is if this could indicate a risk of
> brake failure / danger to drive -- I have plans that require the vehicle
> today.
>
> I've seen some suggestion that this is just a dummy light ("Dummy, release
> your e-brake!") that also illuminates for low fluid ("Dummy, top off your
> brake fluid!"), in which case it would seem to not indicate a safety issue
> given my fluid level.
>
> But I also read something that seems to say this can happen if there's an
> issue with pressure in the master cylinder, which sounds dangerous to me.
>  (Disclaimer:  I'm pretty ignorant on this topic.)
>
> The issue does not seem to me to be the little 1-wire button switch thing
> at the e-brake itself.  I can get into the diagnostics of the other parts
> later, right now I'm really just asking about risk of brake failure so I
> can figure out if I need to cancel my plans.
>
> Best,
> George
>