My Brake Light on My dashboard is coming on when I brake, but the fluid is above the minimum level, and I had my brakes looked at less than a year ago. the dashboard brake light comes on intermittently during cold temperatures. The fluid level is fine and the pads were replaced a couple of months ago. Brakes are working fine. When temperature is above 32,no problem. What would cause the light to come on in cold temperatures? thanks

If you mean the brake warning light, depending on the year and model, it means the brake fluid level is low, or the parking brake is on.

Check your brake fluid level - this light comes on when the brake fluid level has dropped below the minimum level. Usually its because of a leak in the seals of the brake cylinder. Look for oily substance at the inner side of the 4 rims.

Also brake pads can be worn down below the minimum causing brake fluid level to drop below the minimum level.

In any case - make sure the cause of the warning light is known before driving any further.

CHECK OWNERS MANUAL SHOULD BE DOT 3 BUT CHECK OWNERS MANUAL TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE SO YOU WONT PUT WRONG TYPE BRAKE FLUID IN BRAKE SYSTEM.CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE OR ASK THE AUTO PARTS STORE SALESPERSON THEY CAN LOOK IT UP FOR YOU.

Look at fluid level, some systems invoke the parking light for low fluid. I presume to confuse you. I think the thinking works like this: When you have full new brakes and full M/C by the time the M/C fluid gets consumes by prake pad consumption, the light goes off. If you replaced the front pads, the fluid gets pushed back into the M/C resovoir, and the light goes out. Bet that you are pretty close to needing pads, presuming no leaks or other issues.

If it is your brake system light then you should have your brakes checked. Open the hood and find the brake fluid reservoir. Sometime the level can be seen without opening the reservoir. Use a flashlight and shine on the reservoir to see if it is above the minimum mark. If you can't tell, then open the reservoir but clean the the outside or the brake fluid reservoir before opening. If the level is low you wil need to fil with the right type of brake fluid for your car. Go to an auto parts store and tell them the make and model of your car. They will find the appropriate brake fluid for it.

See if that eliminates the indicator light. If it doesn't then it may be a fault with your automatic braking system. A sensor may need replacing.

hi from uk if as you say the brake fluid level is slightly above min ? then this is most probably the reason the warning light is on this light is also linked to both park brake when on and a visual warning via a sensor on the reservoir that brake fluid is low top reservoir up ? light should/will go off however! fluid level drops for two reasons = 1 fluid leak on b/system 2 or in your case the fluid level has dropped by displacement from reservoir to brake calipers/cylinders as the brake pads and/or shoes wear down to minimum safe thickness ? and if your car has brake pads wear indicators fitted to pads these sensors will put light on SO may i suggest you check your brake pads/shoes ASAP because if pads/shoes are very low ? you may not only damage the more expensive disc/rotors but pads may/will burn up resulting in brake failure with obvious results ? hope you heed this advice? it is for your safety and other drivers best wishes

newmomtobaby: the brake light coming on is probably from the fluid level in the brake master cylinder being below minimum level. It has a sensor, which is actually a float which senses the level in the master cylinder. Once it drops to a predetermined point, it will make the light come on.
If you look in the engine compartment on the driver's side close to the fire wall, you will see a plastic reservoir usually with a black cap. On the side of the reservoir you will see the words minimum and maximum or just min and max, with lines near them.
If you remove the cap, (some unscrew counter clockwise) others you just rotate 90 degrees counter clockwise and lift the cap off.
Get "DOT 3" brake fluid and pour it into the reservoir until it reaches the maximum line.
Caution: if you spill brake fluid on the paint, water will neutralize the fluid so it won't attack the paint!
Another thing which can cause the light to come on, is the parking brake not being in a fully released position.
The last item is a proportioning valve in the braking system, IF the car doesn't have ABS.
Hopefully I have answered your question.
You should get you brakes inspected for wear. As the pads wear, the fluid level will drop in the master cylinder because it is displacing the material worn off from the pads.
Many people don't use their parking brakes consequently the parking brake will become ineffective.
Good luck.
let me know how I did if I resolver your problem.

Hi,

Offhand, the brake light warning on most dashboards would indicate that the hand/emergency brake is engaged. If even when the hand/emergency brake is disengaged or is in normal position and the light is still lit, it could indicate that:

• the brake fluid in the reservoir is below minimum level;
• and possibly the brake shoes/pads need replacement.

Just a start, do postback how things turned up or should you need additional information. Good luck and Thank you for using FixYa.

This thing happens as the light is set to glow up when the fluid is less. Minimum level has been set just as a refrence to let you know that its time to refill the fluid. So don't wait for the fluid to cross the minimum level. Refill it and the light should go away.