Brake Warning Light coming on during heavy braking

[Juice]

I'm what I like to call an "early braker", by which I mean that I like to coast to a near stop, then lightly use the brakes to fully stop the car. I hate riding with those "late brakers" that make you feel like you're going to run into the person in front of you because they don't brake until the last second, then mash on them nearly screeching to a halt mere inches behind the car in front.

Anyway, during the uncommon times that I do need to get on the brakes, the brake warning light will come on every so often, then go out when I let off. I suppose this is another thing I'm going to have to take the car in for, but I figured I'd ask.

The idiot light is for idiots like me, saying, "Hey moron, fix your brakes." What actually causes that light to come in? Low line pressure or something?

[RacerX]

:confused: Dude, I can't keep up with your car falling apart!!! :D Make a list!!!

[Mac-MerC]

check the brake fluid, probably running low

[Juice]

I'm telling you man, this thing has been relentless since day damn one. There is definitely more... I've just been putting it off because I can only take so much at one time. I didn't even tell you guys about the radiator fan fiasco I had in July.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Had that on my GM, just added a tad bit of fluid and hasn't come on since. But I feel I will need pads soon, there's always a reason the fluid goes down, light comes on.

[fastblackmerc]

Like they said, check the brake fluid. Add DOT3 fluid to the full mark on the side of the tank.

There is a low fluid warning sensor. If the fluid is low and you brake hard the sensor thinks it's running out of fluid since all the fluid is in the front of the tank.

I check all my fluids every time I open the hood.

[DEFYANT]

Mine does that.

I stop the exact same way. And when I need to get on the brakes, it is usually not going to require a lot of effort to stop the car.

That said, when I do have a moment of oh **** hit the brakes, and the nose dives, the brake light comes one. The fluid is at the 3/4 mark. I plan on flushing the system and toping it off. New pads at the end of the next fun car season!

[Mr. Man]

If all it needs is a little fluid keep in mind your brakes are probably about done. Unless you have a leak. When you put new brakes on the car the fluid will displace what you added. Brake fluid is corrosive so make sure you wrap the master cylinder with rags to catch the fluid that wants to spill on everything.:)

[fastblackmerc]

If all it needs is a little fluid keep in mind your brakes are probably about done. Unless you have a leak. When you put new brakes on the car the fluid will displace what you added. Brake fluid is corrosive so make sure you wrap the master cylinder with rags to catch the fluid that wants to spill on everything.:)

Actually the best thing to do is remove all the fluid with a turkey baster.... be sure to buy the wife or significant other a new one. Refill to the half way mark with new fluid, remove the calipers, remove the pads, push the pistons back, keeping an eye on the fluid level in the master cylinder (remove more fluid if you have to). Replace the pads, reinstall the calipers, pump the brake pedal, fill master cylinder to the full mark.

My favorite Master Cylinder...........

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/master_cylinder.jpg

[Mr. Man]

Actually the best thing to do is remove all the fluid with a turkey baster.... be sure to buy the wife or significant other a new one. Refill to the half way mark with new fluid, remove the calipers, remove the pads, push the pistons back, keeping an eye on the fluid level in the master cylinder (remove more fluid if you have to). Replace the pads, reinstall the calipers, pump the brake pedal, fill master cylinder to the full mark.

My favorite Master Cylinder...........

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/master_cylinder.jpg
I bet you have turkey basters laying all over the house...perve:P:D

[fastblackmerc]

I bet you have turkey basters laying all over the house...perve:P:D

Just 2...

One in the kitchen

One in my tool box in the garage......

[RoyLPita]

Check your rear brakes. I had a near paper thin one on the inside right rear on my MM. That made the light turn and off at times.

[CBT]

Mine does that.

I stop the exact same way. And when I need to get on the brakes, it is usually not going to require a lot of effort to stop the car.

That said, when I do have a moment of oh **** hit the brakes, and the nose dives, the brake light comes one. The fluid is at the 3/4 mark. I plan on flushing the system and toping it off. New pads at the end of the next fun car season!

Same here, and it makes a hellatious creaking sound, like the Titanic breaking apart. 1 second later, all conditions normal.

[RF Overlord]

^^^what they said^^^

Same thing happened to Phoebe a while back and it was only low by a very little. Topped her up to the MAX line and all is good.

[Fman]

Mine was doing the same thing and the front brakes were just worn down. If you add a lot of brake fluid, then replace the brakes, all the fluid you just added will overflow. Unless you have a leak like someone else mentioned.:cool4:

[Lignum]

This is god's way of punishing you becuase you're a nuke. God hates nukes.

[Juice]

Yeah, but I hate nukes too, so shouldn't I get some reprieve??

[Lignum]

Lol, ya. I use to be a nuke. Got my dolpins on the USS San Francisco. By some devine miracle I ended up a Legalman, which is awesome.