Brake Fluid Reservoir Warning Light

[jhaninger]

My 1999 Solara dashboard brake warning light started coming on when the outside temperature dropped. When it is warm outside or after the engine compartment heats up, the light stays off. It would come on after a left turn and stay on for about 30 seconds, going on an off intermittently. I checked the brake fluid reservoir and the level is fine. The handbrake will also turn on the light. My brake pads are all OK. My guess is that the fluid reservoir sensor is faulty and needs replacing. I have disconnected the wire going to the reservoir to keep the light off until I can work on the car. Where is this sensor and do I have to replace the entire reservoir to fix the problem? Is this easy to do or will the brake lines have to be bled and I should leave it to a mechanic?

[lenjack]

the level is very sensitive to even the slightest drop in level. Add fluid and you should be fine.

[ASG14]

^ I'll have to say the same. On my dad's car once, the fluid level "looked" fine, yet it still read low. Add just a little and see if that fixes it. If not, then go from there.

[jhaninger]

Thanks for your advice. I topped off the brake fluid, even though it looked like it was filled to the top and BINGO!, the light now stays off. You were correct that the sensor must be very sensitive. Life is great again!

[Kep]

Now, in the near future, check your brake pads. As they wear down it takes more fluid to actuate them and drops the fluid level in the reservoir.

Kep