e-brake light

[explodr04]

when i push on the gas pedal my e-brake light comes on then turns off. i don't understand why its doing it, but i think it has something to do with the tranny, but i could be wrong. i have a ls w/ 3.73 in the rear but i don't think that has anything to do with the light comeing on then off.

 

[DeRocha]

You have low brake fluid, add some more.

The brake light switch comes on for 2 reasons:
1) The Emergency Brake is on
2) Low Brake fluid

The brake fluid sits in a container above the Master Cyclinder, and is probably right at the low level line. So if you drive up a steep hill or give it some gas (to accelerate) the fluid will get pushed to the back of the container dipping below the low fluid level sensor thus turning the brake light on. Once the acceleration has stopped and the vehicle is sitting level the light will turn off.

 

[spta97]

It is most likely low fluid but it can also be a problem with the e-brake peddle. Mine needed some 3-in-1 oil to unstick but that was mostly after I pressed it down and released.

Not to go against the above poster, but I don't think you need brake fluid but new brake pads. Adding fluid just masks brake problems in my opinion. The fluid isn't missing but is further down in the system because the pistons on your calipers are pushed out farther. Compressing the pistons in after replacing pads (and replacing or resurfacing rotors) will push the fluid back up to a normal level. If you add fluid, it will spill over your engine compartment when you do replace the brakes. The other problem is you could have a leak in the system which is very dangerous.

Have your brakes checked or check them yourself - if after you do that they look fine then add fluid.

 

[DeRocha]

spta97 is absolutely correct... The brake system is a closed system and the only 2 reasons for having low fluid as indicated above are from worn pads, or a leak in the system. As such I would always recommend adding some fluid to prevent the Master cylinder from running dry which would allow air to enter the system. Once this Happens it is a huge PITA trying to evacuate air from the system to regain a firm brake pedal. In contrast it is a fairly easy to bleed the brakes whenever you replace your pads. Which I would recommend since the fluid is more tha likely in need of being replaced/flushed. If the fluid is not clear, plan on flushing the brakes.

A while back I started loosing a minor amount of fluid which triggerd the brake light to come on... I added some fluid and the light stayed off for a week, before coming back on. It turned out to be a pin hole in the hard line near the rear axle, so basically every time I stepped on the brake fluid would squirt out just like a squirt gun.

 

[explodr04]

thanks guys i will look in to that tomorrow since im off work.

 

[huskyfan23]

I've had a similar problem. One of my ABS sensors is bad so my ABS light is usually always on (not sure if this pertains to the problem). When I brake hard my e-brake light will stay on until I let off the brake. There's enough brake fluid and I'm sure if there was air in the system it would be on all the time. Any ideas?

 

[explodr04]

actually i really don't know much about brakes, that is why i ask here and i have been seeing alot of this lately. but if the abs light is coming on then it might be the abs because i have had that problem before but the light went away so i shrugd it off.

 

[huskyfan23]

Yeah, I didn't wanna start a new thread since one already existed on the topic. I'm thinking maybe the light shines when the ABS would normally kick in.