Parking Brake Light on all the time - 98 Camry

[chicagocamry]

I have a 1998 Camry XLE with about 118,000 miles on it. Recently the parking brake light has come on when I am driving and stays on. I have not touched the actual parking brake so I am wondering what this is for before I take it to a mechanic.

Has anyone run into this before? And if so do you have an estimate as to how much this might cost to fix?


Per Murphy's law my car just started making a sound when I turn corners and I think the steering is going out. I know one is much more vague, but has anyone had a history with this as well?

Thanks in advance for any guidance you can lend!

['_']

Check your brake fluid and your brake pads before taking it in.

[ghettosled]

brake fluid reservoir is low.

if your power steering is starting to make noise, check that fluid level as well.

[Mike Gerber]

#1 is most likely brake fluid level is low in the master cylinder. Check it by removing the cap (not just looking through the translucent side of the reservoir) and add fluid to the full line as necessary. The light should go off. Then, as soon as you can, have someone check the pad thickness of your brake pads. Many times this is an indication of the pads wearing thin. The hydraulic system then has to move the brake caliper piston out further and further to make the brake pads contact the rotor. This requires more brake fluid.

#2 We need more information about the type of sound you are hearing. Is it a screech or more of a groan? These two different sounds mean different problems.

Mike

[chicagocamry]

thanks for everyone's help on this. took it into my buddy and I do need rear pads as they were toast. The sound in the steering was because my high pressure hose was near failure as well as the rack and pinion. going to be expensive to fix (especially since that hose is so expensive), but I have to do it as I need my car. Thanks again for all of your help.