Something curious that happened tonight

txredgt · Sep 5, 2011

As I was driving home which was about 2 hours away I had to get on the brakes pretty good. They didn't lock up at all but it was harder than the normal braking. As I was on it the parking brake light came on. Anyone ever heard of this or know what it could be? It just started this tonight. Something with the E-brake cable maybe?

bdcardinal · Sep 6, 2011

Check the fluid level. The other reason that red light comes on besides the parking brake being applied is for a low fluid level. Generally that would indicate low friction material ie pads.

Gearbanger 101 · Sep 6, 2011

X2 for checking the fluid level. Old car+ hard stomp on the pedal often leads to a blown brake line. Pump it up and see if it holds pressure. If not...start looking for puddles.

sneaky98gt · Sep 6, 2011

Yup, it's the fluid level. The level goes down as the pads wear. Check the pads and top off the fluid, and you're good to go.

wmburns · Sep 6, 2011

This could be something as simple as the brake fluid sloshing around inside the master cylinder. Consider that even if full, the brake fluid will slosh forward during heavy breaking. This may cause the float switch to fall enough to trigger the dash warning light. I have had it happen to me.

Stumbaugh · Sep 6, 2011

Mine was donig the same thing for a while. I checked and the fluid was sure enough low, topped it off and it has been fine ever since.

Maxpowers · Sep 6, 2011

Agree with above. May need to add fluid.

Jhunter · Sep 6, 2011

Did you get the tip about the fluid yet? If you are low fluid I would really check the pads out. Theyre probably getting thin.

txredgt · Sep 6, 2011

Yep the fluid is low, my car is actually at a shop right now and it was planned, I was driving back home for the 2 hours to take it in so I had them check even though that is easy. Next upgrade will be brakes around christmas time so I will go with fluid for now and then replace pads, rotors and cobra calipers. I think I will also flush the fluids then as well to not worry about it again for a while. Thanks guys for letting me know its nothing major.

bdcardinal · Sep 6, 2011

Since you are adding fluid now, be aware that when you install new pads you will have to make sure to evacuate fluid from the master before you compress the caliper pistons. When I was in auto tech school before getting my ASE cert in brakes they repeated over and over to NEVER add brake fluid on a vehicle with disc brakes. When you do replace pads go ahead and completely flush and bleed the system, but do not top off.

BULLITT5228 · Sep 8, 2011

Agree. You should never top off brake fluid. That's just covering up what could be a serious issue. You seem smarter than most, but we NEVER top off brake fluid... Never...

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