Hey Guys,

The last three mornings I have come outside to my car and driven to work with the brake light illuminated, even though the parking brake is disengaged. What gets me is that it goes away after driving to work (its gone at lunch, driving home, etc) and the fluid level appears to be normal.

Any ideas? This is just one of the many issues my car has been giving me lately.

Thanks,
Matt

 

Sounds like the brake fluid may be low. Most likely right around the empty line.

 

maybe it might have to do with you brake light switch, but than again that only illuminates your taillights, or the harness which feeds into the master cylinder is loose try cleaning it and tightening it.

 

You say with the parking brake disengage.....did you have it on all night? If so, there is a switch that may be gummy and not springing off right away. It goes off and then you set it again that night only to have it happen all over again the next day.
Lyle

 

Your brake fluid is low in the reservoir. Put a tiny bit of brake fluid in the reservoir OR change your brake pads and it will go off. When your brake pads and fluid start to heat up and expand from the friction of driving, the fluid gets just high enough to turn the light back off.

guaranteed

 

I'll double check the level again in the morning, but it looked okay when I checked it the first time it came on.

Makes complete sense though, I'll just add a small amount. DOT 4 correct fluid, correct?

 

dot 4 is fine. if the battery and break light come on its the alternator.

 

isnt dot 3 the recommended one?

 

It doesn't matter. DOT 4 is better than 3, 5.1 is better than 4, etc.

 

Issue went away on my max when I add brake fluid, but I needed to change brakes anyway. I actually had to remove fliud when I replaced them. When the brake light comes on, it is an indicator you may need to inspect and replace the brakes...Nissan was smart with the way of warning you your brakes need to be replaced...IMHO.

 

dont mean to hijack this thread but could someone post a picture of where the brake fluid would go in a maxima 96? i think mine is low since my light is on too

 

It should be off of the master brake cylinder on the driver's side. The brake cylinder is mounted to the firewall. There is a clear plastic reservior with a max cold and max hot line on it. I cannot post pictures or I would attach one.

 

ok thanks. i saw that earlier and thought it was it. seems to be enough fluid. i dont know why my brake light is on. could be just a sensor/light malfunction. any ideas?

 

Is the fluid to the max hot line when your engine is up to temp?

The only other thing I can think to check is an electrical connection for the fluid sensor. I don't know much about this, but I do know there is an electrical connection for this somewhere. If there is a watertight plug somewhere near the reservoir. Please, if there are any other .orgers that know more about the electricals of the brake system, please chime in.