"BRAKE" Light on after Caliper Change

[leadsled toy]

Can anyone fill me in on why my "BRAKE" light is on after I changed out the calipers last night? This is on my '98 Avy XLS.

Thanks.

[PhillyDRFT]

Originally Posted by leadsled toy

Can anyone fill me in on why my "BRAKE" light is on after I changed out the calipers last night? This is on my '98 Avy XLS.

Thanks.

When you put the new calipers on it most likely took a bit of brake fluid from the resevuar with them. Try topping off the Fluid and bleeding the system one more time.

If it was the rear calipers. Check the fluid first, then examine the E-Brake cables and make sure there all hooked up rite if you took them off or worked around them.

[leadsled toy]

It was the front calipers, now that you mention it, I do have a little leak from the passenger side.

I've tightened it back up but it still leaks a tad. I'd better check those copper washers (ones that came w/ the calibers were a little THICKER than the stock ones).

Will I need to reset the computer or something to clear the "BRAKE" light or will it clear itself when I correct the slight leak?

I am not used to a car with as many sensors as this one apparently has! Thanks for all the info in advance.

[PhillyDRFT]

No, to my knowledge reseting the ECU only clears the cache of Check Engine codes.

The brake sensor is located in the resivuar. Similar to the ball-**** in a toilet. Once it's filled to a certan spot it will flip the switch.

I would bleed the lines to make sure there are no air bubbles, Then top it off.

Especally check and try to solve any brake leaks you know are there. Leaks can and will eventually lead to a drop in line pressure. That can be dangerous. You sound like your ontop of the problem though. You're on the right track. let us know what works for you.

[leadsled toy]

Yikes, I've filled the resevoir full. This makes me thing I might have let it run too low during caliper change and I have introduced air into the MasterCylinder.

Not good if so!

How do I tell if I have messed up and have air in the resevoir?

[leadsled toy]

Maybe the ball/float on the level sensor is 'stuck' low since I did run the fluid low while doing the drivers side caliper. A neighbor came over and distracted me for a while.

Fluid level in the resevior did not however disappear, but it sure did get low. Hopefully I didnt introduce air into the MC......

[PhillyDRFT]

It's ok if you did get air in there, Don't panic! it's likely. If you opened the lines and didn't bleed the system. You have air in the lines.

In my celica, the Resivuar sensor is on the cap that pulls out, check it there to see if it's stuck up or down, get a buddy to sit in the car and check if the light goes on and off.

have the same buddy help you bleed the brakes.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...o/4213448.html

[leadsled toy]

Originally Posted by PhillyDRFT

... Resivuar sensor is on the cap that pulls out, check it there to see if it's stuck up or down, get a buddy to sit in the car and check if the light goes on and off....

And the award goes to PhillyDRFT who correctly diagnosed the resevoir sensor problem!!

I didn't realize that column slid up and down. Just got stuck in the down position. Installed new copper washers and the leak went away too. I was worried about difficulty in removing the MC for bench bleeding. Thankfully I didn't have to. Not sure how easy it would have been anyway.

Thanks Man!

Front brakes on this car are amazingly easy to change. Maybe next week I'll do the rear pads. Hopefully those calipers are A-Ok unlike the front ones.

[PhillyDRFT]

You're very welcome. Glad I could help!