Brake Warning Light Comes On While Driving

[Lefty]

I have a 2004 Vibe with an automatic transmission. It has about 76,000 miles on it. Recently, the brake warning light has been coming on while I've been driving. This morning it stayed on for a four mile trip. However, it did NOT come on during my return trip. But this afternoon it came on every time I touched the brakes, although it went out fairly quickly each time. I don't have much confidence in my (former Pontiac) dealer, who I suspect of overcharging for sometimes unnecessary repairs. My brakes seem to be working fine and I had a complete brake job two years ago. I rarely use the emergency brake and it definitely is not on. What does this situation sound like to those of you who are far more knowledgeable than I am?Thanks.

[lovemyraffe]

Which brake light are you seeing? The ABS or the Brake?

[star_deceiver]

Sounds like your brake fluid is low. Check your rear drums, look at them from the back and see if there's fluid coming out. A slow leak wouldn't be this noticable but look for wet spots. Have a look for wet spots along the brake lines as well.But first, go to the automotive parts department and grab yourself a small bottle of Dot 3 brake fluid and top up the system!!!

[dayday]

Does sound like the fluid is low

[Lefty]

It's the BRAKE light.

[Lefty]

I don't see any wet spots, but the brake master cylinder reservoir is completely dry. However, the manual says "..it is not a good idea to 'top off' your brake fluid...if you add fluid when your linings are worn, then you will have too much fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add (or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is being done on the brake hydraulic system."How seriously should I take this warning? Seems to me I could do more damage driving with no brake fluid then by adding some, but on the other hand I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to cars, having lived most of my life in New York City without one.

[cythraul]

sound like a leak indeed... top it off asap unless your want to end up with no brakes and get to the shop to get those brakes inspected!about the warning in the manual.. it's meant exactly for the case at hand and also it's an indication that the brakes are worn. they recommend not adding fluid because as the brakes gets worn, the fluid will get lower and at some point the light will come on indicating that they're due before they start to squeak. however, if you check your brakes every time you rotate your tires, that function is pointless, at least for me.

[lovemyraffe]

Quote, originally posted by Lefty »It's the BRAKE light. The ABS light is also a BRAKE light. You don't seem to like the answers that you have been given so it probably won't do any good for me to say that you should add brake fluid since the master cylinder is dry.

[Lefty]

OK, I'll add some brake fluid and get it into a shop as soon as possible, although I don't understand your comment about what the manual says. As I said, I'm ignorant when it comes to taking care of cars.

[Lefty]

Lovemyraffe:I was just trying to indicate that the light says "BRAKE." Doesn't the ABS light say ABS? And I don't understand your comment about my supposedly not liking the answers here...I was just trying to understand why they seemed to differ from what the manual says.

[lovemyraffe]

Quote, originally posted by Lefty »Lovemyraffe:I was just trying to indicate that the light says "BRAKE." Doesn't the ABS light say ABS? And I don't understand your comment about my supposedly not liking the answers here...I was just trying to understand why they seemed to differ from what the manual says. Your first post didn't specify if it was the "BRAKE" light or the ABS light. Since both lights are part of the braking system, I thought I would get a more specific answer before I gave a response. After star_deceiver and dayday gave a response saying that the brake fluid was low, you decided to throw the owners manual at them saying it recommends not to add fluid.

[Lefty]

Lovemyraffe:Why the hostility? I wasn't trying to be a wise-@ss or "throw" anything at anybody. I tried to answer your question by posting what it said on the instrument panel: BRAKE, in all-caps. And I made a point of saying that I'm ignorant about this stuff and wasn't clear about what the manual was saying. I'm still not clear about that, but will follow the advice I've received here. Thanks to all who responded.

[star_deceiver]

The manual recomends not adding fluid because NORMALLY when you change the pads the fluid will come back to it's normal level. HOWEVER: You have a clear leak in the system and as you've ran the resevoir dry you may have introduced air into the braking system.I recomend taking your car to the dealer or competent mechanic and having a complete brake job done and tell them you have a leak! The last thing you want is to be driving down the freeway doing 85 and have your brakes completly go out!!! I've blown brake lines on vehicles before and let me tell you that the e-brake doesn't slow the car down very fast!

[lovemyraffe]

Quote, originally posted by Lefty »Lovemyraffe:Why the hostility? I wasn't trying to be a wise-@ss or "throw" anything at anybody. I tried to answer your question by posting what it said on the instrument panel: BRAKE, in all-caps. And I made a point of saying that I'm ignorant about this stuff and wasn't clear about what the manual was saying. I'm still not clear about that, but will follow the advice I've received here. Thanks to all who responded. I'm sorry that you took my responses as hostility. I wasn't trying to be hostile, just trying to figure out what you needed before I gave a response. Mea culpa.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by Lefty »Lovemyraffe:Why the hostility? I wasn't trying to be a wise-@ss or "throw" anything at anybody. I tried to answer your question by posting what it said on the instrument panel: BRAKE, in all-caps. And I made a point of saying that I'm ignorant about this stuff and wasn't clear about what the manual was saying. I'm still not clear about that, but will follow the advice I've received here. Thanks to all who responded. Yeh - I thought it was New Yorkers that were hostle, and those from Colorado noted for being "mellow", as in Rocky Mountain high.