Faulty Reading? Brake Fluid Level, ABS and tracking system warning light

Sharon, Check to make sure emergency brake is not on and fully released, try not to drive your vehicle if the red brake warning light is on. Could have air in the system from a small crack in brake line, faulty master cylinder, faulty caliper etc. Have a good tech. check braking system, diagnose and estimate repair.
Brake Warning Light
Brake Hydraulic System Red Warning Light
What do the brake warning lights mean in my car HowStuffWorks

Brake Light. Make sure you are not driving with hand brake on. Check brake-fluid level. Top off brake fluid if low and make appointment to check brakes. Driving with brake light can be dangerous; deal with this soon. Call tow truck or drive carefully and slowly to shop.
ABS (antilock brake system) Light. Indicates either low brake-fluid level, stuck brake caliper or faulty ABS. Check brake fluid and make appointment to get brakes checked. Call tow truck or drive carefully and slowly to shop.
Oil Light. Either engine is very low on oil or there is no oil pressure. Pull over and turn off engine immediately. Check oil level and add oil if low. Turn engine back on to see if light has gone off. If oil light is still on, bad oil pump (no oil pressure) is likely. Call tow truck.
Check Engine Light. Car's computer senses engine problem. Difference in performance may not be noticeable, but make appointment to have car diagnosed. This usually cost around $65-$75 to do. OK to drive. If problem is serious, computer may switch to limp-home (low-power) mode and you won't have option of waiting to bring car into shop.
Air Bag Light. Get air bags checked. Problem could prevent them from activating in accident. OK to drive, but not safe in accident.
Battery Charge Light. Alternator is not charging. OK to drive, but turn off any unneeded electrical devices (radio, heater, defroster) and avoid starting engine more than necessary. Bring car into shop soon to avoid getting stranded. When alternator is not charging, battery loses charge and car stops working.
Emissions Lights (O2 sensor, EGR, check emissions). Depending on car model, these lights may indicate problem with emissions sensor or may light up at certain mileage, usually 60,000 miles (100,000 km). Get sensors checked. OK to drive. If problem exists, car might get poor gas mileage.
OBD Tools 365 Days Shop

Hi Crystal,your brake master cylinder fluid may be low sitting the sensor off in there,.

Check the fluid level. Low brake fluid level can cause the brake light to come on warning you of low fluid. It will be off when the car is level, but as you hit bumps and hit your brakes, the fluid that is in there will slosh around indicatind low fluid. Don't overfill and only use DoT 3 brake fluid. Do not substitute anything else.

check your brake fluid level, brake system, wheel sensors. Dirty wheel sensors usually cause the ABS light to come on. As for the brake warning light, it may be low on fluid (possible leak) or faulty E-brake switch.

There are a few items to check.
1) Brake fluid level
2) Brake pads
3) Wheel sensors and wiring (these send data to ABS and traction control)

If all the braking system seems to be fine then I would guess a wheel sensor is faulty which would make the warning lights come on.

depending on the system if it is 2 channel or 4 channel one of the sensors that are located on the backing plate located behind calipers is eithier faulty or dirty you can try brake cleaner these sensors use a small magnet pickup device to sense when the wheel "locks up"

Hi,

Based on your description, if it is red that would be the "Brake System" warning light. This warning light indicates that the hand brake or the park brakes are engaged. Alternately, this could also indicate that the level of the brake fluid in the reservoir is below nominal. Top off brake fluid if low and have your brake pads checked as well as visually inspect for any possible brake fluid leak.

On the other hand if it is yellow that would be the ABS (antilock brake system) Light. Momentary lighting up would be normal at startup but consistent light would indicate a malfunction in the brake system such as either low brake-fluid level, stuck brake caliper or faulty ABS. Check brake fluid level and have your vehicle's brakes checked.

Hope this be of initial help/idea. Pls post back how things turned up or should you need additional information.

Good luck and kind regards.

Thank you for using FixYa.

I had the brake light switch replaced by a local dealer. Cost was $140 and it fixed the problem. Have driven the car for two weeks since and no lights and all systems normal.