When I go uphill, my brake light (like for the emergency brake) comes on, but the emergency brake is not on.?

Question

I have a 2004 PT Cruiser. Why is it doing this and what can I do to make it stop? It's still under warranty, but it's kinda hard for me to make it to the dealership, I have a 7 month old baby who I don't want to tote down there and we'll have to sit around and wait forever.

It has 20K miles

Answer 1

Two possibilities:

1. The brake fluid reservoir is low on fluid and the sensor on the side of the reservoir is not "covered" with fluid when the attitude of the car changes and this makes the BRAKE light come on until the attitude of the car is level.

2. There may be an air bubble in one of the lines that is connected to the little inline cylinder that adjusts the brake fluid pressure to the front and rear wheels. I think it's called a JSOP valve and it too has a fluid sensor in it and if the pressure is "off" meaning the cylinder in the JSOP has moved because there is a fluid leak in the front or rear brakes the light comes on but it will also come on if there is a bubble in the brake line.

Answer #1 is the most likely culprit in your case.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

How many miles on the vehicle?

brakes may not be under warranty so have a brake shop checkout your pads for wear. Often the fluid level for the brakes will go low and trigger the brake light on inclines.

A quick brake job should resolve the issue if that is the cause.

Have it looked at by some one more responsive to your time needs SOON

ASE Cert Auto Tech, 95 Neon, 96 T&C

Answer 3

Please Keep in mind that just adding fluid is not necessarlily the answer.

Chrysler designed the PT cruiser brake fluid level sensor system to act as a "low Brake Pad" warning system as well as a low level light.

PT cruiser master cylinders are very small and as pads wear, fluid level drops in the reservoir, just adding fluid might make the light go out, but it can mask the fact that your pads might be getting low.

There is a brake fluid level sensor in your Brake master Cylinder. If the fluid is low, or if the sensor is sticking you can get the brake on light.


I hope this helped

Answer 4

#a million; Use the front first and heavier, eighty% of the braking is complete via the front because of the burden shift. #2 experienced riders can shift up and down without seize yet use it as an issue of path. until you're greater matured. #3 Use the brakes uphill and right down to small adjustments in speed, Use the decrease gears up and down, uphill you like the flexibility of the gears to drag with, downhill you like the gears to hold the cost down, pass u . s . truckers have used this methodology for some years. #4 while slowing to a supply up the engine tries to coach the wheel and the brakes attempt to offer up it, the seize is there to disengage the engine. stable success and be secure, rubber side down is greater substantial than awesome side up.

Answer 5

It could be the Brake Fluid is LOW?? and if it is LOW Then you have A PROBLEM with Brake System !! Either the Brakes ARE Worn out or There is A LEAK in The brake SYSTEM ?? Any way You look at it, You Better take it to the Shop Immediatley !!

Answer 6

William S is right. Top off your brake fluid and get your brake pads checked. Most likely they are worn enough for the fluid level to drop.

Answer 7

just top off the brake fluid i had the same problem in my bmw when you go up the hill the fluid shifts below the fill line and triggers the light if it keeps doing it you might have to get it reset but toping it off should do it

Answer 8

check the brake fluid in the resovoir it may be low,and it will make the light come on also,good luck with it.