Brake light came on, low brake fluid, pads not that low though

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slacktide_bitog

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1996 I30/Maxima, the brake light stays on, and yes I checked the handbrake to make sure it wasn't engaged at all

Pads are EBC Ultimax "Blackstuff"

Fluid is Wagner DOT 5.1, reasonably clear color, not too dark or black

The brakes feel great, pedal doesn't go to the floor, doesn't go near that low, plenty of pad life left. They were installed in the fall of 2017. Maybe 10-15k max on them. Pads, rotors, and fluid were all changed.
 
Well the fluid didn't just magically disappear. Either the pads got thinner, or there's a leak somewhere. It's possible the pads got a tiny bit thinner, and the fluid in the reservoir went down a seemingly disproportionate amount. I've had to top off the fluid in my Accord to get the brake light to turn off, even though the pads still had tons of life left.
 
Yes, there is lots of rust on the car.

The rear brake lines are relatively new. I know they are not the originals since they look newer than the rest of the car, and they say Sunsong on them.

I'm not sure about the front brake lines, which could be weeping, but the rear lines should be good.

I hadn't suspected a leak since that would make all the fluid go down even faster than it already did. A leak usually empties the fluid in minutes, and that has happened before (not on this car). And wouldn't a leak cause a low pedal?
 
If the car sees regular winter salt duty, check the brake lines. Your car would be ripe for needing the lines replaced.
 
Not sure if anyone else mentioned it but I'd check for a leak.

1996 and rusty? I wonder if this is a perfect time to flip on CL... "just needs a brake line" In all honesty, what else is wrong on the car?
 
Originally Posted by The Critic
Is your brake fluid actually low?


That's not a bad question. My '99 Camry needs to have the fluid like over the top fill mark for the light to be off. Not sure where the sensing level is, but I know I had to really fill it back up after doing a brake flush, full wasn't full enough.
 
Originally Posted by supton
Originally Posted by The Critic
Is your brake fluid actually low?


That's not a bad question. My '99 Camry needs to have the fluid like over the top fill mark for the light to be off. Not sure where the sensing level is, but I know I had to really fill it back up after doing a brake flush, full wasn't full enough.

Exactly. A lot of the newer Nissan vehicles will light up the red brake lamp when the fluid level is somewhat close to the minimum mark. But they have very very small fluid reservoirs.

Then again, the OP's car has a larger reservoir than the newer Nissan's.
 
Is the E brake light plunger on the lever out of adjustment by chance. After that most of the issues track back to leaks. Is the level going down on the tank ? If it's full move the float up and down and see if lit is still going on and off as well as where it does. Float might be stuck or pinholes, cracked ect.
If it's leaking get ye under there and look for the wet or dark dirty spot. Heck in. 2013 had the OEM 2000 brake caliper assembly rust 🤬right through . You just never know what's going to crap out when that old. But if it's leaking it will be visible
 
I added some brake fluid, and the brake light is off.

One thing though, the hand brake has basically no resistance until you get to the last click or two. The parking brake doesn't hold at all.

Could it be a missing pad? I have heard of brake pads flying off, and some people on here have reported seeing random pads on the side of the road. Maybe one of the rear inner pads is missing.

Of course, it is also very cold right now. Does the cold have anything to do with it?

Originally Posted by The Critic
Is your brake fluid actually low?



Yes, it was actually low. The level was near the MIN mark on the reservoir, exactly where you would expect it to trigger the brake light on the dash to activate
 
Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog
I added some brake fluid, and the brake light is off.

One thing though, the hand brake has basically no resistance until you get to the last click or two. The parking brake doesn't hold at all.

Could it be a missing pad? I have heard of brake pads flying off, and some people on here have reported seeing random pads on the side of the road. Maybe one of the rear inner pads is missing.

Of course, it is also very cold right now. Does the cold have anything to do with it?

No offense intended, but for someone who gives a lot of "automotive advice" on this forum, I am expecting you to know the answer to this question...

If you were missing a brake pad, it would be quite obvious.
 
If you were missing a brake pad, you'd know about it every time you hit the brakes. In most cases, handbrakes operate a separate small pair of shoes that sit inside of the centre of the rear brake disc - your handbrake cable probably needs tightening.
 
Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog
Originally Posted by The Critic
Is your brake fluid actually low?

Yes, it was actually low. The level was near the MIN mark on the reservoir, exactly where you would expect it to trigger the brake light on the dash to activate

In that case, it sounds like a thorough inspection of the brake system is in order. Not sure where you are located, but leaking brake lines are a real possibility on a 96 if you are located in an area that sees salt in the winter.
 
Originally Posted by 240_Ed
If you were missing a brake pad, you'd know about it every time you hit the brakes. In most cases, handbrakes operate a separate small pair of shoes that sit inside of the centre of the rear brake disc - your handbrake cable probably needs tightening.

In this case, the handbrake cable actuates the rear calipers. All braking is done with the regular brake pads.
 
I don't really want to spend any more money on this car. I am shopping for a new car. I'm just hoping I can get by for another month or two, which I probably can.I am keeping my eye on it to see how fast the level goes down. Once the ground is dry again, I will check for puddles around the wheels (may indicate which lines are leaking.

What would be a normal rate for the fluid level to drop in a non-leaking system on the 4th gen Maxima? I know that the fluid level does go down as the pads wear, and that is normal, even when there is no leak. I would estimate the pads themselves to be 30-40% worn.

Originally Posted by 240_Ed
If you were missing a brake pad, you'd know about it every time you hit the brakes. In most cases, handbrakes operate a separate small pair of shoes that sit inside of the centre of the rear brake disc - your handbrake cable probably needs tightening.


Not in this car.

The parking brake just engages the rear pads, the regular brakes. I use the handbrake all the time.

Even if the cable needs tightening, this is still a separate issue from the possible leak/low fluid.
 
Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog
I don't really want to spend any more money on this car. I am shopping for a new car. I'm just hoping I can get by for another month or two, which I probably can.I am keeping my eye on it to see how fast the level goes down. Once the ground is dry again, I will check for puddles around the wheels (may indicate which lines are leaking.


No one really knows what the odds are of a slow leaking turning into sudden loss of brakes on your car... especially without more inspection.

I had no leak but one of the reasons I didn't drive the Dakota much a few years back is I didn't like the looks of the rusty brake lines. Finally I replaced both the fronts and then all [censored] broke loose. The long run to the back started leaking. I replaced that and made it 10 feet out of the garage when the pedal went to the floor, a short line near the master cylinder completely blew out. I pulled it back in with the parking brake and replaced that one, and all the ones next to it.

Point of that story, rusted brake lines are totally unpredictable. Please be safe.
 
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