Yesterday morning, I noticed that the BRAKE light on my dash was illuminated. Finding nothing obviously wrong with the brakes (pads are thick, system full of fluid, rotors warped but not much) or the parking brake cable, I drove to work like always. In the afternoon, the BRAKE light was not illuminated.

This morning, the same pattern - on in the morning, off in the afternoon. What could be causing this? It is not the brake light warning, which is between the fuel gauge and the water temp gauge.

 

The "BRAKE" warning indicator is for the brake fluid level switch or the parking brake switch.

The issue can be related to the brake fluid level switch; the switch may be stuck closed when it should be open (if the fluid level is okay).

 

Try turning the key to "ON" and taking the cap off the brake fluid reservoir. Operate the fluid level float by hand and see if the light turns on and off as it should, unplug and clean the two wire connectors and plug them back in if not. Could also be a malfunction of the parking brake switch but is unlikely.

 

On my 1999 the light comes on when the strainer in the Master Cylinder reservoir becomes dirty. Check it out.

Check the operation of the fluid level switch at the Mater Cylinder and the operation of the parking brake switch.

Good luck,
Sam

 

I really appreciate the advice. The parking brake operates as it should (sets in 6-8 clicks).

It sounds like I need to check the fluid level switch.