Dodge Ram D100, w/ 318 (5.2L) engine. Decided to finally get around to replacing the valve cover gaskets. During the process, I ultimately realized that the only way to remove the driver's side valve cover was to remove the master cylinder from the firewall (its secured by 4 nuts under the drivers side steering wheel that stick thru the firewall). I reinstalled the master cylinder, and now the actuator will not return to its original position, meaning that it does not return to its resting position against the brake light switch, so, now my brake lights are on all the time. Also, the coolant temp gauge is no longer working.....anyone experience any of these problems before?? I would have never imagined that replacing valve cover gaskets could be that much of a !#@#$%^%^! thx, Mike

 

I assume you are talking about removing the brake booster that the master cylinder connects to. Did you disconnect the boosters rod at the brake peddle when you unbolted the four fire wall bolts?

The front of the booster rod sets in a socket at the rear of the master cylinder piston. It is possible, if you did not disconnect the rod from the brake peddle, that the front of the rod is not seated properly in the socket of the master cylinder piston. I would remove the two master cylinder nuts from the booster and move the master cylinder slightly forward just enough to make sure the boosters rod is centered in the boosters opening and then reinstall the master cylinder and the two nuts. You do not have to disconnect the brake lines to do this.