brake light

[Strat42586]

My e-brake light will come on every once and a while whenever I brake harder than normal. I just flushed the system out about 2k miles ago, and checked to fluid level, and it's good. My brakes are squeaking a little bit, so I know I need to change them. Is that why the light is on?

[4DMR2t]

That is most likely the problem. When the pads start to wear really low, more brake fluid must be pushed through the lines in order to close the calipers enough to stop the car. In turn, there is more fluid in the lines, and less fluid in the master cylinder. That's why the brake light goes on for a few seconds on hard braking and why it looks full when you're parked.

I'd definately change the pads. That will most likely solve the problem!

[MRQtwinturbo]

check your brake fluid resoivor in the frunk....low level will cause that dummy light to come on...

[MitchB]

Originally Posted by 4DMR2t

That is most likely the problem. When the pads start to wear really low, more brake fluid must be pushed through the lines in order to close the calipers enough to stop the car. In turn, there is more fluid in the lines, and less fluid in the master cylinder. That's why the brake light goes on for a few seconds on hard braking and why it looks full when you're parked.

I'd definately change the pads. That will most likely solve the problem!

Sorry, that's not really true. The pads wear and migrate towards the rotor, using more fluid at the rate of wear, filling the extra space behind the piston.

But, the pads are still the same distance away from the rotor (nearly touching) no matter how much wear there is. So, there's no more fluid used per pedal push. There's just less fluid in the reservoir.