Brake light came on today, but my emergency brake was not on. I ensured the brake was all the way down, but nothing happened. After about 3 minutes, it simple went out. Could this mean that something is up with my brakes?

 

There are two possibilities:

1) Your brake fluid is low... check the master cylinder and add if necessary.

2) Your parking brake is adjusted improperly... if there is too much slack in the cable, the light will not go out. Adjust parking brake according to Nissan spec. I think this is 6 clicks when you pull the handle till the wheels lock.

Hope this helps.

 

There are two possibilities:

1) Your brake fluid is low... check the master cylinder and add if necessary.

2) Your parking brake is adjusted improperly... if there is too much slack in the cable, the light will not go out. Adjust parking brake according to Nissan spec. I think this is 6 clicks when you pull the handle till the wheels lock.

Hope this helps.

 

I think it's actually 10 clicks

 

My brakes needed to be replaced....
Check them
Alex

 

As the brake pad friction material wears, the caliper piston protrudes more and more. The volume of brake fluid behind the piston increases and that fluid is drawn from the brake master cylinder reservoir. Therefore the Low Brake Fluid warning light could mean that the brakes are worn out, but it could also indicate a fluid leak.

The point here is that the Low Brake Fluid warning should not be taken as an indicator of worn-out brakes. The brake pads have wear indicators which warn of this problem. The best indicator of brake wear is visual inspection.

Here is a quote from the Owner's Manual.

Brake pad wear indicators
The disc brake pads on your vehicle have audible wear indicators. When a brake pad requires replacement, it will make a high pitched scraping or screeching sound when the vehicle is in motion whether or not the brake pedal is depressed. Have the brakes checked as soon as possible if the wear indicator sound is heard.

 

Actually D.B., the light that came on was not for the fluid, it was the actual E-Brake light. In regards to worn brakes, I know it's time to get a new set, the sound indicaters been giving me hell for the longest. Can anyone point me to a post that will help me replace them myself? I ran a search, but nothing gives an actual step by step so far. Im still looking.

 

That one dashboard warning light serves two purposes.

I don't know of a Web site which will walk you through this. However, the Haynes repair manual has a really good section on pad replacement. It is much better than the factory service manual. If you don't already have a copy of Haynes please buy one. It will be money well spent!

 

Oh really?! I hadn't a clue. Actually I was wondering that when i posted, because if my e-brake was disengaged, it probably was indicating an actual problem with my brakes. I would love to get my hands on that manual, however, they never have it for our year maxima at any of the stores in my area. All I ever see are the older manuals for the "datsun". Where can one get his hands on that manual? how much do they run?

 

The same problem occured to me. All that was needed was a change of brake pads and putting some more liquid in.

Now the light doesn't come on anymore.

 

When I took my car in to get a routine checkup the e-cable had to be replaced, i decided to say ok and pay the $100 for it (im sure it was $2 and took 5 minutes but whatever), anyways just because I was curious I had them show me the cable and it had about a 2 foot crack in it with rust all in and around it.... I've always questioned the maxima's e-brake cable after that (looked like a manufact. defect, but no one else has complained so musta just been me)...

-Nate

 

Barnes & Noble, Borders, BookStar. If they don't have it they can order it for you. It costs about $15.

Some auto parts stores sell Haynes manuals. Try AutoZone and Advance Auto.

You can order from Web vendors such as www.amazon.com and www.bn.com