OK, update: I broke down and removed the combination valve even though I was pretty sure it was not the problem. Well, after I removed and dissembled it, I found one of the packings/o-rings was cut. When I was messing around with it before I broke it down, I couldn't get the slider for the brake light light switch to move very well, and that was the main problem. The valve was nasty inside, lots of crud and rust. After cleaning the crap out of it and using brass brushes in all the bores, replaced the bad o-ring and put it all back together. I got the brakes bled with the minivac, wasn't sure I got all the air out, but the valve reset and the light went out...progress! So I started it up and had peddle, but still not too stiff. I bled again, and everything was good. The brakes are all good now and will put you in the windshield if I not careful!