Stopped at a light, I slammed on the gas hard and the brake light came on then off. I just thought the fluid was low. The next morning, cool outside, the light is on constant. In the afternoon when it's hot outside it isn't on at all. I checked the level to be about an 1/8" above the "min" line. Should I add more or is this not what could be triggering the light? I haven't noticed any problems braking, and I also haven't notice signs of brake fluid leaking. Any suggestions?

Also, I posted a thread earlier about the Engine Coolant Temp Sensor, I ordered the part and was planning on flushing the coolant, replacing sensor, and that would be that. I just recently noticed that the "check engine" light turned off without me resetting it. That doesn't make any sense to me. Could you give me a brief idea how the car does it's own diagnostics. Why would it be on constant for a week then suddenly turn off without the problem being rectified??

Sorry so long....

Thanks for your help...

 

Top off the brake fluid. When you hit the gas the fluid moves around possibly triggeirng the sensor because your right "at that point".

 

The dashboard brake light is a dual-purpose warning. It indicates ...
- handbrake is on
- brake master cylinder reservoir fluid level is low

Most likely your light turned on because of fluid level. Add brake fluid to the Max line.

The Engine Control Module make checks on vehicle operation on a continuous basis. Some tests might be done only once per trip (example: fuel system integrity). Other tests are done on an on-going basis (example: Oxygen Sensor signal range check).

The ECM logic can decide that a previously recognized problem no longer exists and it will extinguish the Malfunction Indicator Lamp without a manual reset. Perhaps the most common example is the loose fuel filler cap. A loose cap causes the fuel integrity test to check "bad". Tighten up that loose cap and the MIL will turn off after a certain number of trips in which the fuel integrity test checked "good". I don't know the number of "good" trips required to turn off the MIL, but it is something like 20.

 

Brake fluid is not consumed as engine oil and gasoline are.
When your fluid level is low that may be a tip-off that ...
- your brake pads are worn and will soon require replacement
- there is a hydraulic leak somewhere in the system

 

Thanks...