The one that looks like your parking brake is on but isn't.

I'm going to replace my pads but I was wondering if this lite is telling me to replace the pads or is it telling me something else. Also any other tips would be great. I'm what they call a moran!! I tried to reserch this but came back with nothing and figured that everyone in here knows everything so I figured i'd ask.

Thanks in advance!

 

First thing to check is the fluid level. If it's down that far then you need new pads or you have a leak.

 

Check the fluid in the master. Bet it is low.

 

My light hangs on for awhile...but after I re-release it its fine.....just hangs everynow and then....no biggie....
tony
:smash:

 

Sounds stupid, but try wiggling your e-brake handles a bit to see if it's unwittingly engaging the brake light. It happened to me a couple months ago, when I realized it's because I've been playing around with the e-brake prior to me getting my 86 inspected at the DMV. :D

 

I checked my fluid level and it was very low so I got some brake fluid and filled it up and now when I hit the brakes it will go all the way to the floor to stop but if I pump the brakes like 2 times it will feel like the brake fluid will kick in and then I'm able to stop without it going all the way to the floor.

Anyone have any ideas on what I can do to resolve this issue?

Thanks in advance!

 

Do a full system bleed. Sounds like you may have air traps in there somewhere.

 

I'll bet your pads are just about down to the metal backing and the rotors are worn. If you had to add fluid and you don't have leaks, the only place left is in the caliper cylinders.

Check for leaks in the hoses and around the calipers.

Don't drive it like that. First reason is it is dangerous. Second reason is the piston in the master cylinder has a wear pattern and you are probably pushing it past that pattern and o-rings are now subject to that wear edge. That edge will take out the o-rings in no time.

 

This may be a stupid question but how would one do this?

Thanks!

 

A few different ways to do this, but I will go over my own process that I use.

With two people, One person will be the "brake man", the other will be the "caliper man".

Caliper Man : With the wheel/tire removed, there is a valve on the top of the brake caliper. Place the appropriate sized wrench (10mm) over the valve. On top of the bleed hole, attach a peice of clear hose (from any parts store),put the other end into a container to collect the old fluid. Open the valve by turning the wrench counter clockwise. Have the "brake man" press and hold the brake. You should see fluid exiting through the clear tube. Close the valve by turning clockwise. Tell the brake man to release the pedal. Once released, repeat the process of opening the valve, pressing the brake, closing the valve, releasing the brake until clear new fluid begins to exit through the tube. Make sure to keep an eye on the fluid level in the master cylinder after every couple of rotations. It is important that you keep an adequate suply of fresh fluid in the reservoir.

The order in which you bleed the calipers are different for different years, but the general rule of thumb is to bleed the caliper that is the farthest from the master cylinder first and work you way to the closest caliper. On 92-96, the order is right rear, left rear, right front, left front. Check your year's service manual for the correct order. Honestly, it makes little difference which order you do them in as long as new fluid can be seen coming out of it. Doing it in the proper order allows you to bleed them using the least amount of fluid. I generally buy the large bottle of Valvoline Synthetic brake fluid and use maybe half of it each bleed session.

Brake Man : Presses and releases the brake pedal on commands given by the "Caliper man". It is recommended not to push the pedal all the way to the floor, but press it close to the normal operating range.

With one person, buy some Russell's speed bleeders. This way you can crack open the valve, attach a hose, and then you simply pump the brake pedal yourself until you can see clean fluid exiting the caliper. The speed bleeders are great if you bleed your brakes more than just every couple of years.