brake light on all the time... - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Warwick5s · 09-22-2002, 09:51 AM

does that e-brake light also function as a brake system warning light? if so, what does it monitor?

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HippoSleek · 09-22-2002, 10:18 AM

Yes it is a warning indicator.  It usually means your brake fluid is low.  BUT - unless you have a leak (unlikely or the pedal would go to the floor) - it generally means that you need new brakes.  If you don't know how to check and replace brakes, either take it to a shop or learn now.

Warwick5s · 09-22-2002, 10:22 AM

wow - it's a brake wear indicator too? NICE. (i'm not used to all these new fangled computerized indicators and whatnot)

and yeah i can do brakes - i owned volkswagens for the past 6 years, so i can fix everything <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'> (because i spent more time fixing it than driving it) <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

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HippoSleek · 09-22-2002, 12:25 PM

lol - thanks to owning a VW first, I became very familiar w/ automotive repair at an early age...

But yes - in essence it is a wear indicator.  The reason being that when the pads get worn, there is less material (duh) - which means that the fluid is pushing the pads further - which means that there is more fluid needed in the lines to cover the greated distance - which means that there is less is the resevoir - which causes the light to come on.  

BTW: this is why you never add brake fluid.  If you do - you're left to hope that you hear squealing b/f you destroy the rotors and freeze the calipers.

09-22-2002, 09:51 AM	#1
Warwick5s Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Madison, WI Age: 43 Posts: 504 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	does that e-brake light also function as a brake system warning light? if so, what does it monitor? <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

09-22-2002, 10:22 AM	#3
Warwick5s Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Madison, WI Age: 43 Posts: 504 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	wow - it's a brake wear indicator too? NICE. (i'm not used to all these new fangled computerized indicators and whatnot) and yeah i can do brakes - i owned volkswagens for the past 6 years, so i can fix everything <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> (because i spent more time fixing it than driving it) <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

09-22-2002, 10:18 AM	#2
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yes it is a warning indicator.  It usually means your brake fluid is low.  BUT - unless you have a leak (unlikely or the pedal would go to the floor) - it generally means that you need new brakes.  If you don't know how to check and replace brakes, either take it to a shop or learn now.

09-22-2002, 12:25 PM	#4
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	lol - thanks to owning a VW first, I became very familiar w/ automotive repair at an early age... But yes - in essence it is a wear indicator.  The reason being that when the pads get worn, there is less material (duh) - which means that the fluid is pushing the pads further - which means that there is more fluid needed in the lines to cover the greated distance - which means that there is less is the resevoir - which causes the light to come on.   BTW: this is why you never add brake fluid.  If you do - you're left to hope that you hear squealing b/f you destroy the rotors and freeze the calipers.