e-brake light coming on... | Ford Explorer Forums

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e-brake light coming on...

spotted dogs

Well-Known Member
Joined
November 7, 2001
Messages
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City, State
merritt, bc, canada
Year, Model & Trim Level
98 ltd 4.0 sohc
I noticed the last couple of days the brake light in the instrument cluster is coming on 1-2 seconds (the one that goes red when the e-brake is on) then going off...there appears to be no rhyme nor reason for this. Is it looking like an electrical gremlin or is it a warning light of some sort?
thanks
 






Check your brake fluid levels.. It'll illuminate when you press the brakes if your fluid is low.
 






Ben is on the money... The brake light comes on for only 2 reasons.. a) the emergency brake is on or b) the brake fluid is low. The sensor is located on the master cylinder right below where you add brake fluid. The fluid just sloshes back and forth, so as you accelerate or decelerate it may trigger the light. Add fluid up to the max line and check each wheel for any signs of leaking brake fluid. Your brake system doesn't use up fluid and the only reasons for it to be low are 1) the pads are worn low causing the caliper pistons to move further during braking (which requires more fluid to fill the space) or 2) you have a leak in the brake system.

It is important to keep the brake fluid at max until you determine why it is low. If the fluid level gets too low your will allow air to get into the system. This will be a big PITA to purge (and most often will require a shop to evacuate all the air)
 






Thanks guys..I will double check the levels.
 






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