Hi,

I am looking at buying an 01 forester. It has 174k miles. Everything on it checks out great except it has a brake light on. I can pick up the emergency brake and return it down but nothing changes. any ideas why the brake light would stay on??? should I worry about it and not buy it???

thanks

Do you mean the brake 'warning light' on the dashboard?

Or do you mean the brake 'lights' at the rear of the car?

[...]Everything on it checks out great except it has a brake light on.[...]

Assuming you mean the dash warning light:

Is it on all the time? Could be low brake fluid or bad sensor.

If not, does it come on when using the service brakes? Could be brake system hydraulic imbalance.

Is the charge warning light on as well? Could be charging system (alternator) problems.

low brake fluid

 

top it off and push the rubber dealie back up into the cap and it should go away. However, low fluid generally indicates low pad level.

low brake fluid

 

top it off and push the rubber dealie back up into the cap and it should go away. However, low fluid generally indicates low pad level.

 

...or a leak in the brake system.

Hi,

I am looking at buying an 01 forester. It has 174k miles. Everything on it checks out great except it has a brake light on. I can pick up the emergency brake and return it down but nothing changes. any ideas why the brake light would stay on??? should I worry about it and not buy it???

thanks

 

On my 1986 version , there is a detection for on burned bulb.

This detection failed (faulty relais inside) but for sure no reason not to buy,,,

I am sorry, Yes it is the dash light. It is at a dealer, they took it on a trade and didn't know if it was always on or if it turns off. Possibly anything really expensive???

low fluid - a couple dollars

brake problems - big range

charging issues (alternator) - $200 (new) less for a used one

 

the simplest and most likely is low fluid. fill it and see if it goes away and hope they don't say "oh sweet now we can ask full price for it!!!!"...or hope that's what it is and do it yourself.

I am sorry, Yes it is the dash light. It is at a dealer, they took it on a trade and didn't know if it was always on or if it turns off. Possibly anything really expensive???

 

Just noticed you're in Tahoe City:cool: .

 

Most dealers in this area will make sure all systems are properly functioning, idiot lights are off, and are safe for the road. IIRC, on the California side the dealer/seller is also responsible for having it pass the local smog test before sale. Sometimes, they don't do these things until told to do so, like when they've actually sold the vehicle (Hohl in CC has a lot of "bring-backs"). Have them check out what's wrong, fix it, and tell you what that was the problem.

 

Norm's Auto Repair (Subaru spcialists) in South Shore is the best around.

 

My 2 bucks

Ther eare 2 lights.

 

1 for the Parking brake

 

1 for the brake system warning.

 

If it is the parking light on, it could just be a fallen penny or something under the center console blocking open the switch for the parking brake light.

Just as an FYI/confirmation, I recently had my e-brake light staying on in cold weather. I added a small amount of brake fluid to the reservoir and the light went away. Brakes are probably due for some maintenance.

Just as an FYI/confirmation, I recently had my e-brake light staying on in cold weather. I added a small amount of brake fluid to the reservoir and the light went away. Brakes are probably due for some maintenance.

This wording had me puzzled at first. But I think I understand what you mean.

 

When you say "e-brake light", I assume that you mean the "brake warning lamp".

 

As I understand it, when the "brake warning lamp" comes on, this can indicate any of these problems:

- Low fluid in the brake reservoir (nothing to do with the e-brake); or

- Parking brake (e-brake) applied.

 

So when you added fluid to the brake reservoir, and the lamp went out, this actually had nothing to do with the parking (e-)brake lever.

 

Or I am I barking up the wrong tree?

 

EDIT: On second thoughts, maybe this is what happened:

- You have rear drum-brakes (not discs);

- When you apply the parking brake, this forces the brake shoes apart to contact the drums;

- this small movement of the brake shoes might suck in some brake-fluid from the brake lines, and depress the fluid-level in the reservoir;

- and that could cause the "brake warning light" to come on, indicating low fluid-level.

Is that what happened?

Edited January 13, 201115 yr by forester2002s

I think what happened is the fluid level was a little low, as it didn't coincide with any activity with the brakes.

 

And yeah -- brake warning light. I guess I referred to it as the e-brake light because I had never seen it on other than when the handbrake was engaged.