emergency brake light coming on during left turns....should I be concerned?
 

I own a 1990 Geo Metro with only 38k original miles. It's a 3 cylinder 5 speed. A few months ago I started noticing the emergency brake light going on in the middle of left turns. Not right turns, just left. Should I be concerned? Does the electrical wiring have a history of chaffing and causing this issue, because my buddy owns a 1993 with 106k miles and he gets the same problem, but only occasionally.

thanks guys.

David

I'd chase the wires as far as I could. I'd also double-check the brake fluid, as some cars have a sensor in the reservoir that triggers a warning if the fluid gets low. Also pay attention to the pedal feel; if it is very mushy you need to bleed the brakes (or more!).

-soD

The brake warning light is often activated by any of three different things.

1) emergency brake on
2) low hydraulic pressure in one of the two brake circuits. This can indicate a leak.
3) low brake fluid level at the master cylinder

I would guess that your brake fluid is getting low. I would advise adding some if it's low and checking if you have a leak when somebody is pressing on the brake pedal. The pedal should not be slowly sinking if you keep your foot on it for a while. Normal brake pad wear will also reduce the level of the fluid.

Add my vote to checking for low brake fluid.

That said:

38k miles on a 1990 Metro?? :D

If you haven't already, please start a new thread and tell us the story of your car.

Never mind - I see you already did.

Yup, low fluid, it's swishing away from the level sensor when you turn. As stated you probably either have a leak or need new pads.

Low brake fluid, :thumbup:

Hm... the sensor will be two wires sticking out of the reservoir somewhere... and based on your left turn follies, I assume it's on the left side... as you pull through a left turn, and apex, the greatest G-force associated with the turn is generated... this causes the fluid to follow the direction of inertia, making it attempt to go straight, and pull to the right side of the reservoir, which starves the sensor of fluid.

Simply put - When you corner, you're pulling the fluid off the sensor... just add some. Go on a decent drive, use your brakes a bit, and then park somewhere, pump your brakes a few times, with good pressure, and then check under your car. If you don't see fluid, you're probably not leaking.

Sure enough, the brake fluid did the trick. I haven't noticed any leaks either. Thanks everybody, for helping this mechanically-challenged Metro owner with the simplest of requests. I'm starting to dig this forum thing. :-)

David