! Brake light

[tylerdurden2816]

I had to slam on the brakes the other day, and the "! BRAKE" light came on. Is that normal? What does it mean, if anything other than the brakes are being slammed?

[Fman]

Have you checked your brake fluid?

[ctrlraven]

Have you checked your brake fluid?
+1 on low fluid

If your fluid is low and you're not leaking any could be a good sign your pads are getting low.

[Logizyme]

The Brake malfunction indicator lamp is illuminated because one of two things. The parking brake is applied -or- The hydraulic brake fluid is low.

Given your description of the occurrence of the MIL the brake fluid level is the likely culprit. Low brake fluid can be caused by a hydraulic fluid leak which is very dangerous and should be addressed immediately. Brake fluid can also go low as a result of worn out brake pads. Either way you should have your brake system evaluated and go from there.

Generally brake fluid reservoirs are designed with enough capacity that fully wearing out front and rear pads will not be enough to put the fluid level into the low area causing the MIL, but that is not the case with 98+ Panthers as the fluid reservoir does not hold enough to cover the complete wear of front and rear brakes.

[fastblackmerc]

Check the brake fluid.

[RF Overlord]

that is not the case with 98+ Panthers as the fluid reservoir does not hold enough to cover the complete wear of front and rear brakes....and it doesn't take much to trip the light. Mary had that issue a few years ago when braking doing down-hill. Level was like 1/4" above the MIN line and when I topped it off to MAX the light never came back.

[tylerdurden2816]

Ok, well it's been a couple years since I got new brakes/rotors, they could be wearing down. Could very well be time to top it off. Thanx guys!