Short story:

Recently my "BRAKE" indicator light stays on, despite the fact that I release/disengage the e-brake. I have tried to repeatedly pull/push the e-brake lever. The first occurence of this, it went away after 10 min of driving. The second occurence (the day after), it didn't go away at all (drove over 25 mi). I don't notice any difference/trouble in acceleration or anything -- which leads me to believe that it's simply a sensor problem and the e-brake isn't really engaged.

I'll probably take this to the dealer and get it checked out (should be under warranty?).. but thought I'd post beforehand in case anyone here might know what's going on.. or a quick check/fix I could do to see what's up. Anyone?


Long story (may not be related to my problem):

I swapped out (and back in) my stock calipers for powdercoating. After that install, I began noticing a squeal near the front-right wheel (or maybe just the passenger side in general) whenever I hit on the brakes or sometimes just a slight squeal when simply driving (maybe turning the wheel a bit). I decided to give it a couple days before checking up on it.

After maybe 1 week, it went away.. but after 1 month, I begin noticing a similar squeal.. except this time it happens ONLY when backing up with the wheels turned (doesn't really make noise if I back up straight). Squeal seems to come from the same side (but maybe both front and rear this time).

This is VERY annoying, but I just haven't had the chance to take the brakes off again to give it a check (and maybe regrease the pads & shims). What do you guys think this may be? Should I just regrease and see if that fixes it, or could it be something else? Also.. what's a good brake grease to use?


Thanks for reading.

 

You swapped out the calipers and it sounds like you did not bleed the system.
Check your brake fluid level. This will also turn on your brake light

 

Ah, that is something I forgot to check. Will do that first, thanks.

Anyone know any other possibilities?

 

Did you bleed the brakes after swapping the calipers?

 

Not yet, was going to do it eventually, but just didn't have the time (nor the helping hand as I don't think I could do it myself).

Out of curiosity, could my problems be simply low fluid, or would it be air in the brake fluid system (thus requiring a bleed). Brakes feel fine, and have been working fine for over 2k mi now since the caliper install

 

Your problem is just low fluid, add some fluid and the light will turn off 100%

 

Check the fluid level...it only takes less then a minute

 

 

OK so I topped the fluid off, and the BRAKE light went away =)

Thanks guys.

Now.. how about that squeal that happens ONLY when I back up AND turn the wheel? I'm gonna bleed the brakes and take em off to look at em again soon.. but I'm not sure what else I should do besides bleed the fluids and maybe regrease the shims.

 

RISE from the dead!!!

I just discovered a squeal from my right front wheel when turning left and sometimes random times when going straight. I can always replicate it when turning left though.

Are my pads simply worn?