Brake light came on

[yeahSHEPASSEDU]

So, this past Saturday i came to a halt and the brake light came on and went off. This morning some jerk flies through his red light so i hit the breaks. Boom, brake light on. The light never stays on continually. I haven't changed the brakes since i got the car(7/2010), but i do clean them periodically. The brakes are still meaty and in good condition. I don't drive the car often, maybe 5000 miles a year. Caddy needs tag renewal so I'm driving the ford til that's taken care of.. any ideas??

[martyo]

Your brake fluid is probably low.

Check it and report back.

[screamn]

+1 on low brake fluid.

Fill and monitor as loosing fluid somewhere....maybe brake line, etc.

[fastblackmerc]

+2 on brake fluid level.

[Spectragod]

+3, low brake fluid

[yeahSHEPASSEDU]

Ok, i checked the fluid yesterday and ill admit it was a TINY bit above minimum.. No, i didn't add any fluid cuz i was too hooked on pulling that blower motor. I will add some before i leave for work in the morning.

[yeahSHEPASSEDU]

Oh, and did i mention the pulling to the right? Oh lord don't let it be both a line and caliper.

[martyo]

Oh, and did i mention the pulling to the right? Oh lord don't let it be both a line and caliper.

Either can cause a loss of fluid.

If you end up needing to do a line (and even if you don't), I highly recommend the TCE stainless lines. They make an awesome improvement to even stick brakes.

[yeahSHEPASSEDU]

@martyo:thanks.. I'll research those lines.

[CWright]

Here's the link to the TCE brake kit for Marauder but at top has brake lines for 162.00 :beer:

http://www.tceperformanceproducts.com/marauder/kits-17/

[L.Mark]

When you get the problem fixed please post or PM me what it was. My LSC's brake light comes on in a panic stop. No low fluid or leaks. The front calipers were replaced. Thanks for any insight.

[RoyLPita]

If there are no visible leaks from the calipers and lines and there is plenty of pad left, check the master cylinder. I have heard that some of them leak from the back into the brake booster.

[martyo]

If there are no visible leaks from the calipers and lines and there is plenty of pad left, check the master cylinder. I have heard that some of them leak from the back into the brake booster.

This is very true!

[Marauder_Santa]

Happened to me - bad master cylinder. It was leaking.

[lifespeed]

I had intermittent brake warning light while braking. As I had some other minor symptoms (pedal would sometimes depress slightly more than other times) I suspected a worn master cylinder and replaced it.

Braking pressure and feel is now more consistent (Wilwood brakes don't hurt), and no more brake light either. This was at about 100K miles.

Master cylinders do wear out. If your car has a lot of miles and you haven't replaced it, maybe you should?

[L.Mark]

Time to check the master cylinder...

[yeahSHEPASSEDU]

Thx for all the input.. I'm currently at 60,000 miles

[martyo]

Thx for all the input.. I'm currently at 60,000 miles

I had one go on one of my MM's at 58,000 miles.

[DOOM]

Thx for all the input.. I'm currently at 60,000 miles


Damn that's low miles!

[yeahSHEPASSEDU]

Why does this stuff go so early?? I expect a master cylinder to last at least 15yrs.. Idk..
@doom: i know, that's why i wanna do some mods and break it in. The 1st guy had the car from 0-12,790miles and the 2nd guy had it from 12,850-43,000(car fax). I don't think its been broken in properly. How do i trouble shoot the master cylinder? No leaks visible from lines or hoses and the calipers aren't sticking.

[Spectragod]

I had one go on one of my MM's at 58,000 miles.

Mine quit @ 17k. Car was 5 years old then

[RoyLPita]

Why does this stuff go so early?? I expect a master cylinder to last at least 15yrs.. Idk..
@doom: i know, that's why i wanna do some mods and break it in. The 1st guy had the car from 0-12,790miles and the 2nd guy had it from 12,850-43,000(car fax). I don't think its been broken in properly. How do i trouble shoot the master cylinder? No leaks visible from lines or hoses and the calipers aren't sticking.

You'll have to loosen it from the brake booster and see if the seal is leaking. I will be doing this on my MM when I repair the adjustable pedals.

[fastblackmerc]

Why does this stuff go so early?? I expect a master cylinder to last at least 15yrs.. Idk..
@doom: i know, that's why i wanna do some mods and break it in. The 1st guy had the car from 0-12,790miles and the 2nd guy had it from 12,850-43,000(car fax). I don't think its been broken in properly. How do i trouble shoot the master cylinder? No leaks visible from lines or hoses and the calipers aren't sticking.

Pull out the MC without disconnecting any of the brake lines. If the back of the MC is wet, then it's leaking.

You don't have to "break-in" new cars. Just regular oil, filter and fluid changes, take care of anything you notice wrong, keep it clean and protected and do PM.

[lifespeed]

How do i trouble shoot the master cylinder? No leaks visible from lines or hoses and the calipers aren't sticking.

Sometimes they leak internally and you can't see it. If you notice the pedal does not always depress to the same position, or feels different at different times this is a good clue the master cylinder is worn. Brake light coming on under pressure is a pretty good indicator too.

As old as your car is, and given the brake light symptom, you are probably OK to just replace it. It is not always practical, or possible, to nail down every diagnosis 100%. Be happy with 90% certainty and replace the MC. I had the ol' brake light under pressure symptom. Replaced the MC and it feels better with no warning light.

[yeahSHEPASSEDU]

Thanks a bunch ya'll.. I'm so glad this site was created. I just hate spending big bucks(dealer/shop) on quick fixes.