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Brake light on: what are the possible causes?

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Old Feb 15, 2007 | 06:18 PM
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Brake light on: what are the possible causes?

Evenin.

Yesterday, on the way to work, the red brake light came on. It stayed on for the whole trip to work (bout 10 miles or 40 minutes of driving) and was still on when I left for home. When I was about 3/4 of the way home, it went off. Today, same thing. Came on, stayed on, then went off when I was close to being home. Never having seen it go on before (other than when pulling up my e-brake) I'm curious to know what possible ball and pocket breaking scenarios this light has in store for me?

Other than an being an e-brake indicator, does this light illuminate to tell me that other brake stuff is going on? Low on fluid, caliper woes etc. or is it strickly an e-brake thing, letting me know that my e-brake is about to fizzuk me? Is it perhaps just a common sensor or light acting up kinda thing or perhaps something else?

Since seeing the light, I have noticed that the car doesn't seem as free wheeling as I remember it to be though. It also doesn't seem quite as quick, is slower and decelerates faster when in a coasting roll and when at slight incline, it doesn't seem to roll back like I think It should. Perhaps it's just me and my car has always felt this way. Maybe the light is having a hypochondriacal effect on me, and I'm noticing or magnifying these perceptions more. Could be mole hills instead of mountains, but I dunno, so I figured I'd ask just to make sure that my e-brake doesn't lock up on me while doing 80, turning me and my car into biscuits and gravy or some shyt like that or have me burning through my fairly new pads lickity splitsky like.

Oh, and as a side note, I had a Progress RSB put on a month back. I couldn't imagine that the zip ties could hinder the ebrake cables that much (if at all), but once again, i dunno, so that is a curiosity as well. Well enough of my going on about.............

I thank you for your time, and look forward to any input or insights you can provide me with.

take care
Old Feb 15, 2007 | 06:19 PM
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Low fluid, low pads, e-brake, system leak.
Old Feb 15, 2007 | 06:20 PM
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Geez, could be anything huh.
Old Feb 15, 2007 | 06:22 PM
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If you need help with your rear calipers let me know, I worked through this a few months ago and I am local.
Old Feb 15, 2007 | 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by VTonmymind
Geez, could be anything huh.
Not really.

You can check the fluid to check for low level. Check each of the calipers for leaks as well as the lines. Check the pads as well and you should be closer to your answer.
Old Feb 15, 2007 | 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Fr33way™
If you need help with your rear calipers let me know, I worked through this a few months ago and I am local.
Much obliged. If the need comes, I may very well seek your help. Thank you.

I think I will take it someone to check out tomorrow so I can pinpoint the problem. I'll also visually check the things that you suggested too. Ideally, low fluid would be gravy, for I sure as shyt don't want a system leak or ebrake problem, but we'll see. Crossing fingers now.

Thanks again
Old Feb 15, 2007 | 06:36 PM
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Check to see if the fluid is low then find out why it is low pads worn or a leak in the system.
Old Feb 15, 2007 | 06:43 PM
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just top it off for now...if you notice the level dropping after top off then you have a leak. if it doesn't then your brakes are starting to get low.
Old Feb 15, 2007 | 08:38 PM
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Any suggestions with what to top it off with. Is brake fluid, brake fluid, or is there a recommended or preferred fluid out there?

Thanks
Old Feb 16, 2007 | 11:24 AM
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Just bumping to see what you guys use for brake fluid.
Old Feb 16, 2007 | 07:33 PM
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ok...don't top it off....first off.....its prob ur brakes. your brake light is on because your fluid is low. The fluid is low because ur brake pads are low. Once you get new brakes, the fluid level should go back up. So meaning if you top it off, n it is indeed your brakes, you will need to get rid of the excess fluid you just put in. take off your wheel n see how the pads are. You should be able to feel that you do need new pads tho once you're pretty close. As far as brake fluid, you're gonna use dexcron III. What brand is up to you. I use castrol..
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