R56 Brake warning light keeps coming on, but brakes feel fine.
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5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
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Brake warning light keeps coming on, but brakes feel fine.
my 2007 MCS has only 12,000 miles yet the last 4 weeks the brake waring like comes on every other time i drive the car. the brake pads can't be worn down by now and the brakes feel fine with no travel on the brake peddle. im trying to wait until i go in for my next oil change 3,000 miles or about 2 months. but at the same time i don't want my brakes to just go out on me all of a sudden. anybody have some insight on these types of potential problems or if their waring light went off what the problem ended up being.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Norfolk, VA
You can get the brake warning light with no other symptoms if the hydraulic reservoir under the hood is getting low on fluid. They usually have a "float switch" to warn you if the level is low, before it gets so low that you're sucking air into the brake lines.
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5th Gear
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why would my fluid be low on a new car? and if the level gets too low do the brakes just give out all of a sudden?
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Norfolk, VA
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5th Gear
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If you have a manual transmission, I believe there's a single reservoir that supplies both the brake and clutch systems. In this picture, it's the black reservoir at the top-right corner, with the green label on the cap:
As to why it might be low, there's a chance that it wasn't filled all the way up to the "full" line when new, or you could have a slow leak in either the brake or the clutch system.
Or, the light could be coming on for another reason entirely.
If it gets too low, your brakes won't suddenly stop working, but they will become less effective, and you may find the pedal getting "spongy" and traveling further to the floor when you brake.
As to why it might be low, there's a chance that it wasn't filled all the way up to the "full" line when new, or you could have a slow leak in either the brake or the clutch system.
Or, the light could be coming on for another reason entirely.
If it gets too low, your brakes won't suddenly stop working, but they will become less effective, and you may find the pedal getting "spongy" and traveling further to the floor when you brake.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,479
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From: South Florida.
my 2007 MCS has only 12,000 miles yet the last 4 weeks the brake waring like comes on every other time i drive the car. the brake pads can't be worn down by now and the brakes feel fine with no travel on the brake peddle. im trying to wait until i go in for my next oil change 3,000 miles or about 2 months. but at the same time i don't want my brakes to just go out on me all of a sudden. anybody have some insight on these types of potential problems or if their waring light went off what the problem ended up being.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 8
From: Norfolk, VA
The way the brake pad wear sensors work is that once the wear sensor is worn through, you get the brake light, and the light doesn't go out until you replace the sensor. Checking the pads still wouldn't be a bad idea (especially the rear pads, since another possible cause of the warning light is if the parking brake isn't disengaging fully).
I can't find an R56 engine picture that shows the reservoir, but I have the nagging feeling it's hiding underneath that ribbed intake tube, or somewhere in that approximate area.
I can't find an R56 engine picture that shows the reservoir, but I have the nagging feeling it's hiding underneath that ribbed intake tube, or somewhere in that approximate area.
In the picture posted by ScottRiqui, I believe that the reservoir he identifies is actually the power steering fluid, not brake fluid.
Last edited by JAB 67; Dec 10, 2007 at 11:55 AM. Reason: typo
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,201
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From: Norfolk, VA
I'm just going to remove that post entirely - you're probably right about that being the wrong reservoir, and it's certainly the wrong engine for helping the OP out. Thanks for catching my mistake.
Coordinator :: Alabama Motoring Society & South East
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Burning-Ham Alabama
Although it doesn't sound like it in this case, don't assume that low mileage means that the pads cannot be worn out.
My 2003 MCS had a bad rear caliper from the factory. The dealer replaced pads and rotors several times under warranty with low mileage intervals in-between until I finally convinced Global Imports in Atlanta that the caliper was at fault and causing one pad to rub all of the time. You'd think any competent mechanic could have figured this out the first time, but Global's mechanics needed 3 tries to decide that 1 rear pad worn down to nothing when the other 3 were normal was caused by the caliper.
My 2003 MCS had a bad rear caliper from the factory. The dealer replaced pads and rotors several times under warranty with low mileage intervals in-between until I finally convinced Global Imports in Atlanta that the caliper was at fault and causing one pad to rub all of the time. You'd think any competent mechanic could have figured this out the first time, but Global's mechanics needed 3 tries to decide that 1 rear pad worn down to nothing when the other 3 were normal was caused by the caliper.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,037
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From: Melbourne, FL
Loose sensor?
I'd check the sensor wires themselves. As we know, if you remove a sensor the light comes on because of the open circuit. This sounds like it is open sometimes and not others....maybe the connection of the sensor lead to the harness is loose....or wet....or both. Not the pad end....the other end....
Course this is a warranty issue if you don't need a cross country trip to a dealer
Course this is a warranty issue if you don't need a cross country trip to a dealer
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 139
Likes: 1
From: Santa Cruz Mtns, California
Brake warning light
Had the same occur in my 2003 MC at about 18k miles (since replaced by a 2007 MCS).
Worn rear brake pad, replaced under warranty. I did think it curious that it occurred on a rear pad because the fronts usually go first.
Worn rear brake pad, replaced under warranty. I did think it curious that it occurred on a rear pad because the fronts usually go first.
If your brake light is coming on due to a low reservior level this requires more attention than adding fluid. You either have a leak in your brake system (not likely) or you have worn your brake pads down to a level where the reservior fluid is now supporting the brake system. Both of these require immediate attention to aviod brake rotor damage or a possible accident. Drive with caution!!
Your pads certainly can be worn down by now, 12k's plenty, it really depends on your driving (or braking) style. An ABS problem can illuminate the brake light under certain conditions, but it'll also illuminate the ABS light. With worn pads you'll continue to stop just fine until you go metal on metal, then you'll be buying new rotors to go with the pads assuming you don't wreck the car in a panic stop.
Your new mini comes w/ free maintenance, so take it in & have it checked
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,980
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From: PA
My MA certainly didn't; although he did make sure to point out the battery, which is under a flap on the passengers side. I just kinda randomly found the brake fluid reservoir one day while poking around under the bonnet.
Neutral
Joined: Sep 2022
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Your funny, MA means mother.
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