Brake warning light question
 

ok, when i left the house today, when i put down the emergency brake on the '89 crx, the warning light didn't shut off (on the gauge cluster). i lifted and dropped the emergency brake handle a few times, and it didn't turn off. i put the car into gear, got moving a bit, and pushed the clutch in, and i rolled just fine, so i know i wasn't dragging the back brakes. i went ahead and drove to work, and i didn't hear and grinding in the back, so i don't think they where stuck. about 5 minutes in my trip to work (yes, working on saturday sucks!), the light went out. then about 2 stop lights later, it came on again for about 2 blocks then went off. once i got to work i parked on a good slope in our parking garage, and put the emergancy brake on, and left the car in neutrel and let off the brake, and rolled maybe and inch or two then stopped, and the car solid (i even tried pushing it a bit, and it won't move), so the emergency brake is grabbing on just fine. now, my question is, does this light monitor anything else, ie brake pads or brake fluid/pressure levels. the brakes didn't feel quishy at all on the way in. or, could it be a stuck swtich or worn spring on the cable release? hmm, lets see...told you the make model and year, waht i've tried and tested...ok, i think that's it. any thoughts? Oh, i didn't check the fluid level when i got here, as i was about 10 minutes late (i HATE when i leave my entrance card on my pants from the night before).
??? ???

Re:Brake warning light question
 

Sounds like the switch is broken.. That light as far as I know is only activated by the Parking break..

-CF

Re:Brake warning light question
 

id agree.. check the switch.

Re:Brake warning light question
 

just take off the covers that are around your parking brake lever...and pull the wire that plugs into it...that light will never come on again...hehehehe

Re:Brake warning light question
 

uh check your brake fluid reservoir... if its low you will get a brake light...

Re:Brake warning light question
 

Yup, that light means the ebrake is on and/or the fluid level is the master cylinder is low, thats what those wires going to the master cylinder cap are for!

Re:Brake warning light question
 

I had the EXACT same problem. I'd be driving, and then all of a sudden my brake light would come on(like if I had my parking brake up). It would go off and on like it had a mind of its own. I have a 90 crx dx, so it's basically the same car. I messed around with the wires under the parking brake, and nothing happened. Anyway... the problem turned out to be the cap on the master cylinder. I opened the cap, and then put it back on again, and then the problem just went away. I think I didnt put the cap on right when I filled brake fluid, maybe the thread on the cap slipped on the thread on the cylinder. Maybe it was the two wires on top of the cap being wiggled the wrong way. I dont know. Mess around with the cap, its worth a try. It fixed my problem, maybe it will fix yours.

Re:Brake warning light question
 

thanks for the help all, it was REALLY low on fluid. i added some, and it hasn't come on again since. thanks again.

Re:Brake warning light question
 

Well brake fluid doesn't just evaporate, you've got a leak somewhere. I'd suggest jacking up your car and looking at all the joints for the brakes or anywhere where there is a support bracket for wet spots. If you don't see any, start checking the lines them selves. Brake fluid doesn't easily wash off but does attract dirt so you should be able to see it. Also check your combination valve and metering valve joints, and your master cylinder for any wet spots. If you don't see anything anywhere, then you might have a leaking wheel cylinder (if you have rear drum) or a bad master cylinder.

Re:Brake warning light question
 

thanks again for the advice. i'me putting new rotors and pad up front soon, and new drum pads in the back at the same time, so i'll look around then and see what i can find.