weird problem

[thenewguy]

Ok, so every time I'm driving the idiot light comes on for the emergency brakes as if my e-brake is up. Which it isn't. anyone know why its doing this? Thanks

[99BlackSandv6]

Mine does it too.

My guess is that it's the brake fluid level sensor on the master cylinder reservoir.
Or it could be the lever position switch on the parking brake lever. Mine is not, I've checked.

Does yours come on mostly when your turning or coming to a stop?

You need to first check the fluid level. If it's fine, the sensor is probably the problem.
I don't think it's a part that's available from most parts stores, which is why I haven't
fixed mine yet. I figure it should be a cheap part though if you find it.

What year is your car, and how many miles?

[thenewguy]

yea it turns on when i turn and stop. The year is a 1999, and i just hit the 130k marker.

[1gSE]

add fluid

[99BlackSandv6]

Wow. Mine is also a 99 and this started when it hit 130k. It has 134k now and it still does it.
If the fluid level is good, it's either the level sensor on the reservoir or the lever position switch.

Does it do it consistently when you turn or stop? Mine only does it from time to time.
Sometimes it'll stay on for 10 minutes at a time when I'm just cruising on the interstate.

My thought is that the fluid level switch gives up after so long and will need replaced.
The problem with that is no one seems to sell them, and the fluid has to be drained
fromt the reservoir in order to replace it.

I'm going to fashion up a little jumper wire to plug into the harness for the level sensor
and see if that keeps the dash light off. If it does, then the sensor needs replaced.

[thenewguy]

yea it does it consistently. I'll check and put some more fluid in when I get home from work. Thanks a bunch!!!!

[99BlackSandv6]

If the fluid level is low, make sure you find where it's leaking.
Brake fluid doesn't just evaporate. If it's low there's a leak.

[thenewguy]

Ok will do thanks man

[99BlackSandv6]

Hey, turns out unplugging the sensor turns the light off.

I checked the conductivity of my brake fluid and it seems high.
So I guess it probably has absorbed water and needs to be changed.
I figure the sensor is fine and it's actually doing its job.
I just need to change my brake fluid.

Is yours low? If not, consider changing it.

[02slera]

sometimes it may look as though your fluid is low in your master cylinder, it doesn't always mean there is a leak, it may just be that your brake pads are almost expired and more fluid is occupying the calipers. if you top it off, then in a few weeks when you go to replace your pads and you push that piston back into the caliper, brake fluid will overflow and spill out of the master cylinder.
also this issue has been discussed before, my car used to do it too. let me see if i can dig up a link to the old thread...

haha this dates back to October 2003...
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5885

[99BlackSandv6]

^You're exactly right.