Brake warning light on intermittently??? No buzzer
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
Brake warning light on intermittently??? No buzzer
So, it is 14 degrees here in MD today and as I was driving my 2003 SC430 to work this morning, the red indicator light that reads "BRAKES" came on intemittently - usually when I applied the brakes. No buzzer..., and it would turn off and on. I had the same thing happen on a cold day last winter, but never in the summer. I looked in the owner's manual and it seems to say that this might not be a problem. On one page, it says that if the light comes on and the buzzer sounds, you have a big problem and head right off to the dealer. Then, on the next page it makes a brief mention of something like "if the light comes on briefly while the vehicle is in use and the buzzer does not sound, this does not indicate a problem condition." Does anyone know what this is all about?? The brakes seem fine, I can't notice a problem and I hate to take it into the dealer if I don't absolutely have to, since I'm out of warranty and they will really soak me. Thanks!!
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: TN
The brake light is triggered by the parking brake being engaged or a low brake fluid sensor. Assuming your parking brake is off, it is probably low fluid. Check your fluid level.
The reason it's only on briefly, and only when it's cold, is it's just barely low. Cold contracts fluids, sensors etc. As soon as it is warmed up by the engine heat, expansion raises the fluid level ever so slightly.
Brake fluid isn't consumed. It either leaks or it hides in your wheel cylinders as the pistons push further out to compensate for pad wear. If your fluid is low, you shouldn't add fluid routinely, but have your pads checked for wear. When the pads are replaced, you push the wheel cylinders pistons back in to the cylinders and voila, your fluid returns to a full state.
The reason it's only on briefly, and only when it's cold, is it's just barely low. Cold contracts fluids, sensors etc. As soon as it is warmed up by the engine heat, expansion raises the fluid level ever so slightly.
Brake fluid isn't consumed. It either leaks or it hides in your wheel cylinders as the pistons push further out to compensate for pad wear. If your fluid is low, you shouldn't add fluid routinely, but have your pads checked for wear. When the pads are replaced, you push the wheel cylinders pistons back in to the cylinders and voila, your fluid returns to a full state.
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