Hi there honda tech,

Just today did my brake light in the instrument cluster came on for some reason. I will be driving and the light will come on, I thought my hand brake was up but it wasn't, I moved it up and down and the light wouldn't go away, it would only go away if I stopped the car with the foot pedal. Then come back like a couple mins later. I drive a 2000 civic ex with 166k.

Does the light come on if only the handbrake is on or will it come on if there is a malfunction with the braking system?

 

Low fluid level in the master cylinder. Have braking system checked IMMEDIATELY.

Could be a loose connector or something, but you need to check for low fluid ASAP.

 

Thanks will check it and see if there are any leaks in the system. I checked the fluid and it was at MIN line.

 

If your fluid is low, there's a good chance your pads are worn.

 

The Pads are fine. I just checked and saw brake fluid leaking out from the passenger side caliper hose. the bolt was loose and i believe that was the cause of the low fluid. i tightened it and just got to put some fluid in tomorrow.

I believe the bolt loosened because i recently removed the knuckle on the passenger side and had to remove the caliper. the caliper fell a couple of times and i believe that is why the bolt loosened.

thanks for your help everyone

 

Good you fixed it. Here's my checklist anyway:
...

A leak in the hydraulic system is also likely. Check caliper pistons, hard line junctures and runs, rubber flex lines, master cylinder and ABS modules / prop valve junctions for wetness. See if you can maybe the see if master cylinder is leaking into the booster.

If everything is dry, add some fluid and watch the level carefully over a week.

If its leaking you've got to find the leak.

 

Also, the banjo bolts use copper crush washers, one on each side, and crush washers sometimes don't crush so well the next time...

 

Ill do a full out inspection tomorrow to make sure the braking system is all good, but i checked the passenger side because i recently did work on that side which im glad i did, there was fluid around the hose flange on the caliper itself which led me to believe that is why the fluid level was low. the bolt was loose to the point i could turn it with my fingers, so i tightened it back up

 

 

thanks for you help, i really appreciate it.

 

Another satisfied customer.

 

Probably a good idea to bleed the hydraulic system now, too.

Anytime the system is open (caliper banjo bolt loose) the infiltration of air is a distinct possibility.