GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Today, I started getting the brake light coming on whenever I apply the brakes, then goes out after a few seconds after I release them. I'm taking it as the brake fluid is either low or I need new pads? I looked at the reservoir and it seems low, but it was dark out so I couldnt see it real good. Or is this a malfunctioning dashboard?

well my best bet would be that the fluid would be low, however I find it best to check it out in the daylight just to make sure. Does it happen everytime you hit the brakes? or just when you are going around a tight turn? If it is when you are going around turns it is probably the fluid level being sloshed to one side of the resevior causing the level guage (or wat ever you want to call it) to trip.

If the fluid is low and there are no signs of leaks, don't top it up until you check the pads. As they wear, the fluid level goes down, and if you top up the reservoir and then soon after replace the pads, you won't be able to retract the pistons far enough to fit the new pads without draining the excess fluid. (Obviously if there are signs of leakage, this would have to be remedied first.)

Geez, call me a guy from the 70's ('69 Plymouth Valiant), but it sounds to me like the master cylinder is bad. The brake lights always came on when a cylinder when bad on a 70's or 80's car. Best of luck, and be careful.

I did notice that our brake master cylinder and our clutch cylinder use the same fluid tank. Don't forget to check for leaks on the clutch master and slave cylinders also.

Had it checked today and it's a leaking gasket. Goes in tomorrow to get it fixed.

Quote, originally posted by DopeVibeGT »Had it checked today and it's a leaking gasket. Goes in tomorrow to get it fixed. Did the warning light come on because the fluid level was low?Where is the gasket that was leaking?Glad you're getting it fixed. Having a car that doesn't run is pretty bad, but having one that runs but doesn't stop is much worse.

There was a leak at the modulator valve, so they replaced that. Have to agree, having a car that wont stop isnt good, but I always had the Ebrake just in case. LoL