The BRAKE light on my dash goes on and off

[Natty]

I drive a 1991 hatch, no ABS.

The BRAKE light on my dash seems to randomly go on and off. It isn't blinking, but it stays on for a few minutes and then will go off. I don't know what the pattern is, but turning seems to have something to do with it.

I checked the ebrake handle and it is staying down. My fluid line is right where it needs to be, on the line between MIN and MAX. What could be causing the light to go on?

The owners manual says if the ebake is fine and the fluid is good, there is some "unknown" problem and I should tow it to a shop.

[g6civcx]

Do you have ABS?

[2iv0 sx]

usually thats like a warning light... but it sounds like your alternator is going to out soon. Just something to watch out for...

[Natty]

usually thats like a warning light... but it sounds like your alternator is going to out soon. Just something to watch out for...
I did a search and found a few posts confirming that the light will go on and off if your alternator is about to go.

Out of curiosity, why would a dying alternator cause the brake sesnor warning light to go on and off randomly?

I'll get Autozone to test it tomorrow. :wiggle:

[SiI40sx]

ahhahahahhaha, its your sensor dude, take out your center panel where your ebrake is, and its a little metal piece that touches with another piece and makes your light go off, that part is really sensative you usually need to adjust it so those two pieces only touch when the ebrake is actually up

[ThatGuy]

I did a search and found a few posts confirming that the light will go on and off if your alternator is about to go.

Out of curiosity, why would a dying alternator cause the brake sesnor warning light to go on and off randomly?

I'll get Autozone to test it tomorrow. :wiggle:

Just a wld guess, but it sounds resonable in my mind...

When you start your car, the BRAKE light illuminates. It's part of the start-up sequence of our cars. When the altnator is dying, it could cause a partial loss of electrical power. Perhaps enough to trigger part of that start-up sequence again, i.e. the BRAKE light coming on. I don't know. I just woke up. :p

[mrmephistopheles]

check your brake fluid level as well.

[Natty]

I checked the sensor at the center console. It looks to be working fine. You can't adjust it anyhow. I drove around making sure to hold the ebrake handle down as hard as I could (since it has a tiny bit of loose play) and the light still goes on and off.

I looks like the light goes on after I make a turn and I straighten the wheel. Mostly right hand turns, but some times it stays off. Sometimes it stays on for a few minutes on straights, sometimes it goes off after a few seconds after the turn.

My brake light bulbs are good. As I said before, the fluid level is between MIN and MAX. I'll pick up some DOT 3 anyways once I go to get my battery and alternator tested.

[BlackSilEighty]

Do what SiI40SX said. Take off the center console and bend the little tab to where it doesn't touch the handle when it's all the way down. I had to do it once.

[Natty]

Do what SiI40SX said. Take off the center console and bend the little tab to where it doesn't touch the handle when it's all the way down. I had to do it once.
I think the little tab is supposed to push down the sensor when handle is down :dunno:

[BlackSilEighty]

It's been a couple years since I did it to mine so I forgot. You may need to bend the tab upwards a bit so it completes the circuit and sends the signal that the brake is all the way down...

[Natty]

It's been a couple years since I did it to mine so I forgot. You may need to bend the tab upwards a bit so it completes the circuit and sends the signal that the brake is all the way down...
I bent the tab back so that it always touches (completes the circuit) unless the brake is all the way up. It works for now.

Thanks for all the ideas.

[Xandy Boosts]

few days ago, mine went off and on and couple days later my alternator died

[Natty]

few days ago, mine went off and on and couple days later my alternator died
I'll get it tested then. Do you have to take it out to have Autozone test it?

[mrmephistopheles]

^^ yes.

[smithers584]

just get a meter, crank your car and read 14 volts dc across your battery terminals. or get a hks turbo timer, hahaha, thats how i know my batt and alt voltage. obviously anything around 12 means straight batt voltage and your alternator isnt working. as far as the light goes, sensor sounds to be the culprate, but if not, maybe a wire shorting every time you turn.

[krustindumm]

stick the red test lead right on the alternator terminal. DC voltage should be over 13v at idle, A/C voltage should be below 100mv.

you could try playing with the float on the master cylinder cap, maybe it has bad contact or something.

[Xandy Boosts]

stick the red test lead right on the alternator terminal. DC voltage should be over 13v at idle, A/C voltage should be below 100mv.

you could try playing with the float on the master cylinder cap, maybe it has bad contact or something.

:werd: or go to autozone, they check it for free

i didnt have to go to autozone though, because it died at home :duh:

i was driving on the freeway, then as soon as i started braking/slowing down
my headunit kept turning off and on, and my car straight died

put it in first and pop started it since i was still moving and kept my foot on pedal till i got home

when i got home in my driveway, i put the pedal to the metal and it didnt rev past 3 or 4k, then sputtered till it finally died

tip though when replacing alternator, hose down the gunk under there or if you have goggles, use em. crap kept falling in my eye

[boosteds13]

This thread is a friggen jinx. As soon as I read this yesterday, my friggen brake light started going off and on. I am sure it's the sensor in the ebrake itself though as my alt voltage fluctuates between 14.1 and 13.8 volts.

[TheTimanator]

I had to disconect my sensor b/c the tab broke off...I think it broke off, it was 2 years ago. :rolleyes:

[ledzeppelin240]

Chraging voltage should be between 13.5v to 14.5v under a load. You should also check the amps under load.