"Replace bulb" light comes on.

[Novice_cardude]

Yeah, i thought this would be the simplest fix ever, but obviously i'm missing something.

Yesterday as I was leaving work, my "replace bulb" light on my dash came on. I got home, and had my brother watch as I used all my lights. None of the headlights, taillights, signals, reverse lights, license plate lights, are out.

I just noticed today that the light on the dash is off when I start the car and do everything, but turns on when I take off the handbrake (it's a 5-spd so I always use the handbrake when I park).

Any clues as to what it could be? Next step I think is to check all the interior lights, but I don't know if those are wired into the test circuit for that warning or what...

Any help would be appreciated!

[importcars]

do u have all the stock bulbs in or have you changed any? for example putting a 'led bulb' in replace of one of your stock bulbs..

[Novice_cardude]

No, they're all stock. Car is unmolested, just maintained.

Also recently discovered that if I start the car, take off the handbrake, and drive, it still takes a few seconds to throw the light. Is there like a delayed self-check or something? I don't even know how the detection circuit for that warning lamp works.

[ASG14]

The "BRAKE LIGHT" indicator out on the dashboard does not come on till the 1st press and de-press of the brakes. That is how the sensor knows one is out.

check the 3rd brake light. If not out, replace it anyway, as 50% of the time, that fixes it.

[Novice_cardude]

Thanks! Will do that tomorrow.

I've gotta do an alignment, oil change, rotate the tires, adjust the rear brakes and do an overall check tomorrow at work anyway. I'll take a look at that third brake light.

[EBR]

Check thr trunk wiring. It is common to have broken wires in the harness that goes to the trunk lid. Lots of times the grounds will break and all the lights will still work.