My parking break warning light keeps coming on even though my parking brake is not engaged. I have noticed that it comes on when I accelerate and when I take left curves and go off when I take right turns. I was wondering if anyone has any information on this problem.

 

The light comes on to tell you that you are low on brake fluid. Check the fluid level in the resevoir on top of the brake master cylinder.

 

My brake fluid is good and full. I think there is a problem somewhere with the parking brake and for some reason it comes on when I turn left which has me stumped.

 

Listen to him. Your brake fluid is not full enough. Fill it to the well above the full line, the light will no longer come on and you won't be stumped anymore.

This is VERY high on the list of common noobie problems and out of 100 times it's posted, adding fluid solves it 99 of those.

Or, you can continue to argue until you get an expensive answer you like. Your choice.

 

The sensor for the brake fluid level can also leak into the circuit and go BAD. That may be the problem you're experiencing....

 

Yeah, and if your battery and brake light are on together, it means your alternator needs new brushes.

 

A vote for brake fluid level. Been there, done that. Sigourney Weaver (Quote): Look, I have ONE job on this lousy ship. It's STUPID, but I'm gonna do it, OKAY!!!

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try them out.

 

My '94 p/u has always done that when the brake pads wear to the point where it brings the fluid to the middle of the normal range. Problem goes away when I bring the fluid to the full mark. When I put new pads on I just siphon the excess fluid away. When I first noticed it several years ago, the same thing you are describing was happening.... light comes on during left hand turns. It seems to be sensitive to very cold weather also. During the winter my fluid level has to be a bit higher than summer to keep the light out. I never have to bring the fluid level above the full mark however.

 

I got A 90 pickup and i have got to fill it over the full make to work, sometimes almost overflowing it.

 

I have a similar problem for sure.

I have a 2000 4Runner that has been running great. Recently, my red Brake Warning Light has been coming on and off while shifting (manual trans).

It seems to only happen when I'm hitting the clutch and shifting between 1st and 2nd or between 2nd and 3rd. Once I'm off the clutch and hitting the gas, it goes off again.

I checked the brake fluid, it looks like its filled enough. Though reading above, maybe it isn't.

I'm in the Northeast, also read above that cold weather acn affect it. Though it never happened last year.

I guess I'll try filling it and see what happens.

Thanks

Fish
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Listin to these guys, the sensor is very finiky. The po cut the wires to mine since it was on... idiot!

 

Mine stays on sometimes, but I think that's because the parking brake doesn't return all the way in everytime. And yes, I have PLENTY of fluid. I've had problems with my parking brake before; I pulled it out, and something came un done, and it didn't work untill I had my mechanic fix it.

 

Oh yeah, If I play with the lever, sometimes I can get it to go all the way back in, and the light turns off.

 

The level sensor is prone to sticking, especially if the fluid is not changed regularly, so you can always try to clean it, either by changing the brake fluid (regularly) so it can soak in newer fluid or unhooking it and wiping it down.

 

Will try it this weekend. Any suggestions on replacement fluid? thx guys.

 

can having too much fluid in the res cause thee brake light to come on? i just changed my pads all the way around and pushed alot of fluid into the res ( just above teh max line ) after i was done i noticed that the e brake light wont shut off....