I bought a 2005 C230 Kompressor with 100,xxx miles in May 2019, and I've had a persistent issue this whole time. I've searched the threads high and low, and it seems that I have the opposite issue of most... Namely, my parking brake light doesn't illuminate when needed!

The dash lights all illuminate when I start the car, including the BRAKE light. However, the BRAKE light does not stay on, even when the parking brake is engaged. I've replaced the parking brake shoes and adjusted the parking brake itself 2-3 times (I'm now a pro at removing the rear seats and adjusting the cable!) but the light still doesn't illuminate when needed. Naturally, this has led to issues driving the car with the brake engaged because the notification light won't turn on. I've replaced several fuses just in case, but haven't had any success. The brake lights work fine, and the parking brake works fine, but the BRAKE light on the dash refuses to cooperate.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

The light is activated by an electrical microswitch on the parking brake pedal mechanism under the dash.