# Idiot Lights for brakes

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/idiot-lights-for-brakes/40688>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chevrolet, brakes, lights, blazer\
**Created:** [December 12, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/idiot-lights-for-brakes/40688 "2009-12-12T21:35:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Keystone75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e68b1a/32.png) [@Keystone75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Keystone75)\
**Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/idiot-lights-for-brakes/40688/1 "2009-12-12T21:35:19Z")

</div>

The dash lights(2)for the brakes sometimes lights sometimes not. I have checked the brake pads and there is plenty of pad left and the ware indicators are not rubbing on the rotors.  
  
  
  
 What causes the lights to occasionally light?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\
**Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 9:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/idiot-lights-for-brakes/40688/2 "2009-12-12T21:39:50Z")

</div>

Check the fluid level in the reservoir.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![vtcodger2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e68b1a/32.png) [@vtcodger2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vtcodger2)\
**Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 10:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/idiot-lights-for-brakes/40688/3 "2009-12-12T22:29:22Z")

</div>

Typically, there are two sensors – neither of which has anything whatsoever to do with the amount of braking material on the brakes. One sensor is in the master cylinder and turns on an alarm if the brake fluid level gets too low. The other is on the parking brake and comes on if the parking brake handle has been pulled up more than a couple of clicks. Possible causes of an intermittent light would be low brake fluid, driving around with the parking brake partly on or misadjustment of either sensor – assuming that the sensors are adjustable.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2009, 11:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/idiot-lights-for-brakes/40688/4 "2009-12-13T11:41:28Z")

</div>

It would be a good idea to read the owner’s manual for your car. Likely it will tell you that that light can mean low brake fluid.