The parking brake light also doubles as a brake fluid level indicator for the master cylinder. If the light is coming on during acceleration that's a good indicator that the brake fluid is low. Check the fluid in the master cylinder. It should be between the "Add" (or low) and the "Full" marks. If it's at the "Add" mark or below you need to investigate the cause. It COULD BE due to worn rear brake shoes but most likely if it's low you might have a leak in the brake hydraulic system.

Pull the rear drums and check the condition of the shoes. If they are good you need to check over the entire hydraulic system for leaks. Look over the recent front brake pad replacement and make sure a caliper piston isn't leaking. If any leak is found have it repaired and then the entire brake system will need to be bled to remove any air that might have entered the system.

This can be a serious situation and may be beyond the scope of your abilities so don't hesistate to seek professional advice.

Post back what you find.

 

It's also possible that the parking brake cables are binding and so the brakes are not fully releasing. This would show up as the parking brake handle going slack before it's all the way to the down position. Binding can be caused by rusty cables or housings, or damage.

 

If the original front pads still had meat on them, then the rear SHOES should still be FAT w/material (unless you've got other issues back there). Won't hurt to look though.

The low master cylinder scenario sounds VERY plausible too.

Never did drums? Only one word of caution...one side at a time to use the OTHER side as a reference.

If your GV is set up anything like mine, I posted some detail on rear drums and shoe replacement a while back. Do a search...Max, brakes. Download the free service manuals available in many discussions here too.

 

the park brake light came on in my 06 GV. a little brake fluid in the reservoir fixed it. the fluid drops as the front pads wear out. suzuki made the light come on too early imo

 

That's it! Even though it showed well above minimum, I added fluid to the max level and no more light.

Thanks guys for the replies!

 

Just to make sure everything is OK try this....

Mark the current brake fluid level with a black marker. Check it again in a few days or a week. If the level remains as is then you can assume all is well. If the fluid level goes down you probably have a slow leak.

 

I've seen a few 01-06 XL-7s wit hthe brake light on and full of fluid - however the plunger/float sensor in the master cylinder is stuck at the bottom. Debris and shit from w/e got in there and jammed it all up. Took a few flushes of the master cylinder to get it all out.

That's something to keep in mind for anyone else. I've found Suzuki's braking systems pretty problem free with exception of normal wear items like pads. Esteems crack the front brake hoses prematurely thoguh.