KnightFiyah

My emergency brake light (showing it is engaged) flashes when I'm accelerating for a second. I noticed it when shifting from first to second gear today.
It turned on for a second or less and then turned off immediately. No noticeable driving change.

Should I be checking for a brake fluid leak?

woodyth

iTrader: (1)

sounds to me like the switch is bad. speaking of which I need a new one too

Bingle

ebrake is actuated by a cable, not hydrolic. Fluid level will not affect ebrake. Check ebrake switch. Maybee the lever moved just enough when under accel to let it make contact.

scope103

KnightFiyah, I think you were right the first time. The "Brake" light does double-duty, it shows when the Emergency Brake is applied, and when the emergency brake is off, it lights when you don't have enough brake fluid.

So at least check the brake fluid (and top it up if necessary). And if you top it up, watch it carefully (don't wait for the light this time). If it goes down noticeably in 1,000 miles, you've do have a leak.

Alaska90

had the same happen to me. first, check your brake fluid. if low, add. if ok, disconnect the wire that leads to the brake fluid cap. if the light is no longer flashing, its probably an indication that the float switch in the brake fluid cap is bad. i just leave mine detached and remember to check the fluid now and again.

MudHippy

Bingo!(Bingle Bongo!...)

I'd bet money the e brake handle isn't pushed all the way in. So it doesn't take much jostling to contact the switch, since it's now sitting too close to it. Happens in my rig quite often because the cable is missing(so I have no more functioning e brake). The cable used to keep the handle from wanting to back out. No biggie, the first thing I do when I see the light come on is reach over and push the handle all the way in. Works every time.

Brake fluid level in the MC reservior will gradually go down as the vehicle is driven, or rather when the brakes are used while driving. Due to pad/shoe wear. 100% normal. Let it not worry you in the least. Unless you can find signs of it ACTUALLY leaking somewhere...

Side-note: Some OEMs recommend that you never top off the brake fluid in the MC reservoir. Because the next time you go to put new pads/shoes on, you'll end up having to remove some...or it will overflow out the top of the reservoir on the MC. Messy...

James Woods

iTrader: (1)

Have you actually checked the fluid level yet? This can happen when the fluid is just high enough that the float does not activate the light until the fluid sloshes and the float is able to drop for a second.

First thing I check when my brake light is on is that my lever is in all the way, and then I check the fluid level.

wescx005

I'd have to agree, my brake light would come on and off as the fluid was alittle low. Added a touch a few months back and haven't seen it since.

Unless it was actually pulled

TNRabbit

Dollars to donuts it's the fluid level. I had this EXACT condition a few years back. The brake fluid resevoir was about 1/16" below the "minimum" level & when I made a sudden move, it would make the low fluid indicator come on.

abecedarian

Another vote for fluid level. When you shift, moreso in low gears than high gears, the fluid will surge to the front of the reservoir and away from the fluid level sensor... just like the passengers get pinned to the seat on take off and shift forward when the clutch goes in.

BMcEL

Yup, that's exactly why there's a float in there...you top off the reservoir when you service the brakes and that's it, unless you have a leak obviously. Theoretically, the light should kick on when the brakes are nearing the end of their life. This is of course assuming the float switch isn't bad like mine.

KnightFiyah

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I'll make sure my handle is pushed in all the way, check the fluid level, and if I still see the light occasionally, I'll look into replacing the switch if it ends up pissing me off enough haha.

steveh

What did you find out on this? My daughter's '97 automatic does the same thing - brake fluid normal, jostling of the ebrake handle doesn't affect it. It just flashes on for a second during or just after hard acceleration.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

If the fluid level is good .

i have had this happen when the cable is starting to fray it moves just enough to trip the switch at times.

steveh

Where does it fray and where is the switch?

Thanks!

steveh

Never mind... Topped off the brake fluid (which was technically not low, just approaching minimum) and that fixed it.