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Release brake message

Lil’Mule

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I’m 100% not touching the brake pedal and I’m getting the flashing red warning light with a “Release Brake” message. All rotors are cold so it’s not actually applying the brakes. It puts me in limp mode. I’ve unhooked/reconnected the harness at the reservoir and still won’t go away. Any ideas other than taking into the shop? Thanks.
 
I’m 100% not touching the brake pedal and I’m getting the flashing red warning light with a “Release Brake” message. All rotors are cold so it’s not actually applying the brakes. It puts me in limp mode. I’ve unhooked/reconnected the harness at the reservoir and still won’t go away. Any ideas other than taking into the shop? Thanks.
Is it possible that it triggers off of the brake light switch behind the pedal? If your brake lights are triggering on without touching the pedal then adjusting that switch might take care of it.
 
Is it possible that it triggers off of the brake light switch behind the pedal? If your brake lights are triggering on without touching the pedal then adjusting that switch might take care of it.

Is it possible that it triggers off of the brake light switch behind the pedal? If your brake lights are triggering on without touching the pedal then adjusting that switch might take care of it.
Thanks for the suggestion. How do I adjust that switch? I will try it. My friend was behind me and said the brake lights came on as well. Hopefully that is it.
 
I just looked in the service manual - there is not an adjustable switch like I was thinking. However if you look at the bottom of your brake master cylinder you should see a wired switch that is on the rear banjo bolt connection. I would check and clean your electrical plug connection there and see if that helps. I doubt the switch is bad but it’s possible.
 
I just looked in the service manual - there is not an adjustable switch like I was thinking. However if you look at the bottom of your brake master cylinder you should see a wired switch that is on the rear banjo bolt connection. I would check and clean your electrical plug connection there and see if that helps. I doubt the switch is bad but it’s possible.
Thanks for checking. I’ll give it a try.
 
It could be possible it is a warning for a mechanical parking brake which we do not have in the US. In many generals a icon would light up (including mine) above the speedometer because the cluster is shared with the Generals in the UK they do have a factory turn signal and a parking brake.
 

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If your brakes lights are on without pressing the pedal, or the brake lights do not work at all. Replace the brake light switch, don't use a Polaris, use an aftermarket. Easy $15 fix.
Polaris has had troubles with these switches since 2014. That is the first part I replace before the 1st ride.
Search part # 4081117 on ebay, lots of choices.
 
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If your brakes lights are on without pressing the pedal, or the brake lights do not work at all. Replace the brake light switch, don't use a Polaris, use an aftermarket. Easy $15 fix.
Polaris has had troubles with these switches since 2014. That is the first part I replace before the 1st ride.
Search part # 4081117 on ebay, lots of choices.
Thanks! My friend driving behind me stated the brakes lights were in fact flashing on and off. I'm certain the actual brakes were not being applied since the rotors were ice cold. To your point, if it's a bad sensor and turns the brake lights on, that should send the error code to the ride command because it assumed I'm actually applying the brakes. Great suggestion. I'll give this a shot.
 
Crank it up and then unplug brake switch. Drive it, it should be fine, except no brake lights. That will 100% diagnose brake switch.
 
I had the same issue on mine and took it to the dealer last weekend. They changed a "brake sensor" and that appears to have fixed it. It was very frustrating taking my unit out and not being able to get to 20mph (even with the seat belt plugged in).
 
Crank it up and then unplug brake switch. Drive it, it should be fine, except no brake lights. That will 100% diagnose brake switch.
Followed your advice and you are correct! Works just like you stated. New switch will be here Saturday. Thanks for the help!!
 
Optional solution.
Aftermarket tune. Companies like Gilomen Innovations, remove the coding for this annoying warning/throttling when the performance tune is programmed.
 
How do you get to the brake switch? Pictures, Thanks
Look under left front fender. See your master cylinder (where you add brake fluid). Look behind it. You will see where the brake lines attach. Attached to the brake lines is the brake switch. Pull the little tab back and unplug the switch
 
I’ve replaced 3 of these on my rig so far and have determined a couple things.

1st one I replaced the rig had 12 miles on it. First ride out went into limp mode. I had to create a jumper to get it started again.

2nd one replaced was after I installed the parking brake. This was months after and thought maybe it was a bad unit.

3rd was the one that made me realize the parking brake was creating to much pressure for long periods of time. (Hauling on trailer). This would cause the brake fluid to eventually leak through the rubber seals inside and touch the brake sensor.

I’m going to be adding a kill switch to this setup so I can continue using the parking brake, and no longer worry about the brake sensor every time I’m in the back country.

FYI- a fuse can be used as a jumper in the field to get the rig started and keep you from being stranded. Having some wire or anything as a jumper will save the day- I’ve learned the hard way lol.
 
I’ve replaced 3 of these on my rig so far and have determined a couple things.

1st one I replaced the rig had 12 miles on it. First ride out went into limp mode. I had to create a jumper to get it started again.

2nd one replaced was after I installed the parking brake. This was months after and thought maybe it was a bad unit.

3rd was the one that made me realize the parking brake was creating to much pressure for long periods of time. (Hauling on trailer). This would cause the brake fluid to eventually leak through the rubber seals inside and touch the brake sensor.

I’m going to be adding a kill switch to this setup so I can continue using the parking brake, and no longer worry about the brake sensor every time I’m in the back country.

FYI- a fuse can be used as a jumper in the field to get the rig started and keep you from being stranded. Having some wire or anything as a jumper will save the day- I’ve learned the hard way lol.
Just curious… have you been replacing it with OEM each time? I’ve seen multiple OEM brake switches fail. But there’s been several people who’ve replaced them with aftermarket switches and I haven’t heard of any failures with those.
 
Just curious… have you been replacing it with OEM each time? I’ve seen multiple OEM brake switches fail. But there’s been several people who’ve replaced them with aftermarket switches and I haven’t heard of any failures with those.
I replaced with 3rd party. The first failure was the OEM. I spoke to the shop here and he agreed that it is most likely the parking brake. He said Polaris has had issues with trying to add their own version but always ran into issues with the brake sensor.
 

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