92 SC300. Lately, but only occasionally, the red "break" light under the temp gauge comes on when I'm braking. According to the manual it is to let you know when the parking brake is engaged. Manual says nothing about it referring to brake pads needing attention. The brakes are just beginning to squeek/squeel a little. What's the story on this? Anyone been in this spot ? Thanks

 

check your brake fluid, the light will come on if it is low, and while your braking the fluid might shift causing the sensor to "think" it is low. just a thought, if that doesn`t work, you might want to think about checking electrical connections to brake lights, when the connectors come loose the light will come on. I learned this after I removed my light over the sub and drove around for a day. I bet it is just fluid though, I hope that helps.

 

if it happens to be the brake fluid being a bit low, check your pads, it MIGHT be time for a new set..

 

one ties into the other. if your fluid is low and you have no leaks it is time to do a brake job, especially with the squeal. as the pads get worse, the more effort is required to stop and the heat factor increases burning more fluid.

 

i had this happen to my dad's es300. the brake light would come on without the e brake engaged. The problem was the brake wire got loose and they just tightened it back up. Love that 90 dollar per hour they charge to fix a loose brake light at the lexus dealer... Same problem with the brake light signal that comes on saying that your back light is busted or something. Another loose wire.... Unless it is really busted of course. That problem happens to a lot of es300's actually.