Brake Light Randomly Comes On?

Question

I have a 2003 Mazada Protege 5. My brake light seems to come randomly, some days it's on for longer periods of time than others. Sometimes it comes on at a stop light and then stays on. Sometimes it comes on 30 seconds after I leave the stop light. Somedays I don't notice it on at all.

My actual brake pads are getting low, but are not to the point yet when they need to be changed. Also, overall from what I can tell, my brakes work just fine. They stop when I want them to stop and I don't feel them dragging when I go.

I think it might be a sensor problem. Anyone know how to fix this? Please don't say take it into the dealer, my family typically fixes cars all by themselves if at all possible. So, I just need to know how to fix the sensor. My husband keeps saying he will look into it, but hasn't yet. Maybe it is easy enough that I can do it myself.

Does anyone know the link to a website with specific instructions?

Thank You!

We checked the brake fluid. Reservoir is full or at least up to the line where it tells you to be. I'll check it again to be sure. But if the reservoir is indead still full, do you have any more ideas?

Answer 1

check the fluid reservoir,,it may be getting low on fluid,,,it has a sensor built in to detect if it gets low,,and this will cause the light to come on,,if it does appear to be full then it may be telling you there it to much pedal travel in your brake pedal,,this indicates a lot of wear,,and tear on your brakes,,and this wont go away until you do change the brakes,,good luck with it,,i hope this helps.

Answer 2

For starters, it may not be the sensor. You could have air in the lines, you could have a bad or failing master cylinder, brake booster, caliper...the list goes on. Or your pads are worse than you think.

I appreciate the fact that you would rather do it yourself, but unless you are really knowledgeable on brake systems, you will just be guessing and you could end up throwing good money after bad trying to treat the symptoms rather than the cause.

I'd take it to a brake specialist or dealer, if for no other reason than to have it diagnosed. Go to a place that gives free or cheap estimates. If you still are set on fixing it yourself you will at least know what to fix, rather than doing it by guess and by golly.

You can go to your local Auto Zone or similar place and they will have repair manuals specific to your type of car...also, they can hook up a trouble code reader for free to see if any sensors are reading bad, etc.

Another thing...being a 2003 model, aren't you still under warranty? The dealer could check things out to see if a covered part is the culprit. Warranties don't cover pads, but they do cover master cylinders, boosters, etc. Something to think about.

Hope this helped.

Answer 3

Stop trying to figure if you need to fix. The light is on for a reason and you need to get the car into a shop. Don't wait. You might have brake pads but something is wrong. Sensors are for a reason and its a safety reason. Unless your will to gamble your life and someone Else on the road. Hope your are not.
Get to a shop asap

Answer 4

It is probably low brake fluid in the reservoir (sp). You said your brake pads are worn and the brake fluid you used to have in your reservoir is now in your lines. Fill up the reservoir and your light will stay out unless you have a leak.

Answer 5

Look under brake peddle for little switch

Answer 6

Gee, I wish I could answer your question, but I too have the same problem! -- we both need to know !!

Answer 7

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