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Brake warning light... what to do?

chuck steakchuck steak Registered User regular
edited April 2007 in Help / Advice Forum
Yesterday my brake light on my dashboard came on for a few seconds, two times. This morning it won't turn off. The parking brake is not on, and the brake fluid is not empty. I have also noticed that my brakes are kinda screechy and loud as of late. So should i just take it into a shop or are there other things i could do or check for before doing that?

chuck steak on

Posts

  • PirateJonPirateJon Registered User regular
    edited April 2007
    Sounds like you need new rear brakes. Have them checked sooner rather than later and hope you don't need new rotors/drums.

    PirateJon on
    all perfectionists are mediocre in their own eyes
  • RhinoRhino TheRhinLOL Registered User regular
    edited April 2007
    need more break pads.

    Rhino on
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  • chuck steakchuck steak Registered User regular
    edited April 2007
    i just drove it again and it turned off after about a minute. the brakes seem to be working just as well as they always have too. how likely is it that the brakes are fine and the warning light/beeper is acting goofy?

    chuck steak on
  • msuitepyonmsuitepyon Registered User regular
    edited April 2007
    I would definitely suggest working on the brakes (they're aren't to bad if you are a DIYer). Sounds like you may have a faulty wear-sensor. You should get a new sensor with a set of pads.

    msuitepyon on
  • ThanatosThanatos Registered User regular
    edited April 2007
    If your breaks are screechy, there is something wrong with them, most likely they need new pads. If you are not capable of putting on new pads yourself, you need to take your car to a mechanic.

    Thanatos on
  • misbehavinmisbehavin Registered User regular
    edited April 2007
    Most brake pads have a layer on them that deliberately create a loud screeching sound so you know when they are running thin. They will still work fine, but they are definitely being worn away. It is best to get them looked at, because if you let them wear completely away, they will start wearing at your rotars, and those are expensive to replace.

    misbehavin on
  • chuck steakchuck steak Registered User regular
    edited April 2007
    it hasn't come on the last two times i've driven. should it be ok to wait on taking it into a garage as long as the light doesn't come on again?

    chuck steak on
  • misbehavinmisbehavin Registered User regular
    edited April 2007
    chuck steak wrote: »
    it hasn't come on the last two times i've driven. should it be ok to wait on taking it into a garage as long as the light doesn't come on again?

    That all depends: Is it really worth it to wait and be wrong?

    Just replacing break pads is usually around $100... replacing rotars AND break pads is around $500. That's a BIG difference, and it's likely not worth it to wait.

    Most brake places do free analysis, so I would suggest taking it to the shop and getting it looked at.

    misbehavin on
  • a penguina penguin Registered User regular
    edited April 2007
    And doing it yourself most likely costs at the most $150.

    What kind of car is this, btw?

    a penguin on
    This space eventually to be filled with excitement
  • RhinoRhino TheRhinLOL Registered User regular
    edited April 2007
    misbehavin wrote: »
    Most brake pads have a layer on them that deliberately create a loud screeching sound so you know when they are running thin. They will still work fine, but they are definitely being worn away.

    Yes... needs more brake pads.

    Most brake pads have a "wire" in them... when they start to wear away this wire is exposed. When this wire touches the metal (instead of brake pad) it makes a loud noise. The more wire exposed the louder the noise.

    That loud noise is to remind you to get more brake pads.
    It is best to get them looked at, because if you let them wear completely away, they will start wearing at your rotars, and those are expensive to replace.
    Yes. Talk to mechanic. They will say :"needs more brake pads".

    There might be other problems... but needs more brake pads for sure.
    You need brakes. They are not optional.

    Rhino on
    93mb4.jpg
  • PirateJonPirateJon Registered User regular
    edited April 2007
    chuck steak wrote: »
    it hasn't come on the last two times i've driven. should it be ok to wait on taking it into a garage as long as the light doesn't come on again?

    Most likely, either your pads are nearly gone or your brake fluid is low. Keeping driving will turn a ~$150 repair into a ~$500 repair or an accident. So why DON'T you want to have this fixed? Do you hate america?


    http://autos.yahoo.com/maintain/repairqa/warning_lights/ques010_0.html
    http://www.carcare.org/Brakes/parking_brake.shtml
    http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question448.htm
    http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/23044/what_to_do_when_your_dashboard_brake.html


    At least double chekc the fluid level and check all four wheels for signs of fluid leaking on the brake calipers.

    PirateJon on
    all perfectionists are mediocre in their own eyes
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