# "Brake" Warning Light

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-warning-light/23157>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [December 9, 2008, 2:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-warning-light/23157 "2008-12-09T14:34:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jhijaouy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jhijaouy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jhijaouy)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 2:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-warning-light/23157/1 "2008-12-09T14:34:06Z")

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I own a '97 Toyota Camry with the 4-cylinder engine. When I start the car in the morning and drive off, the “Brake” warning light comes on for a few seconds then disappears. The car seems to be driving just fine, though. This happens most often when I start the car in the morning when the engine is cold. Any suggestions?

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**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 3:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-warning-light/23157/2 "2008-12-09T15:17:14Z")

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My first suggestion is check your brake fluid level under the hood. It is possibly low. However low enough usually means either a leak or your brakes are far gone that fluid level has dropped.

If not get it checked out by a shop, brakes are nothing to skimp on nor ignore.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 4:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-warning-light/23157/3 "2008-12-09T16:14:01Z")

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I agree. Sounds like a low fluid warning. If you’re not sure where the brake fluid reservoir is consult the owner’s manual.

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**Author:** ![jhijaouy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jhijaouy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jhijaouy)\
**Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 12:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-warning-light/23157/4 "2008-12-10T00:02:20Z")

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That was my initial thought. However, I checked the fluid level, and it was fine. Thanks, though.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 1:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-warning-light/23157/5 "2008-12-10T01:47:09Z")

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Do you use the parking brake?

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**Author:** ![lenjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f475e1/32.png) [@lenjack](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lenjack)\
**Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 1:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-warning-light/23157/6 "2008-12-10T01:59:32Z")

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Had the same thing, checked the fluid level and it LOOKED fine. Added fluid and the problem disappeared.