I have a 2002 TL Type-S.

I had it in for service last week (stereo problem) and when I picked it up they said my front brakes were down to about 10% left so maybe another 3000 or so miles left on them.

Now sometimes when driving the "BRAKE" warning light on the dash will come on every once in a while. This is usually when starting out in the morning, but sometimes just randomly. It might be on for 10 or 20 minutes then go out.

I have checked the fluid level (it has a level sensor that will turn on the "BRAKE" light) and it is right between the min and max markers.

I know some cares have an electronic pad wear sensor but I dont see anything like that on my brakes. (there is usually a wire running to a sensor in the caliper on cars that have that) All I see is the "cricket" audible sensor that all cars have.

2 questions

Has anyone seen this BRAKE warning light act this way before?

Does anyone know if there is a sensor on the TL that lights the "BRAKE" warning light when the pads are low?

Thanks,
2002 TL-S
Stock (no mods *yet*)

 

umm the only time my break lamp goes on is when i have my emergency break on..

 

mine did bulb was out

 

This is common for cars with brake pads that are worn to near end-of-life. It was happening to my friend's Camry, too - the fluid level was where it should be. The pads were worn out to 10%, and after he changed them, the light has disappeared and never returned. It also came on when starting out in the morning. Don't worry about the light, it will resume normal activity when you get the pads changed.

BTW: I dunno if there is any truth to this, but I was told that extremely worn pads require more pressure to work effectively, thus triggering the "low fluid" warning of the "BRAKE" lamp.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Did it go on and off when you stepped on the brakes or just stay on until you replaced the burned out rear brake light?.

Mine goes on and off at random with no relation to brake use.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Interesting, If true I wonder what component of the brake system monitors this?
(I guess its not important how it works I'm just the curious type.)

It's interesting this happened right after the dealer checked the wear.
I was trying to figure out if the dealer did something to generate some $revenue$

I think I'll do the brakes myself (did my civic and integra before) and save a load of money. Might just get new brembo blanks (about 120 for 2) instead of taking in the the old rotors to have them machined. There seems to be alot of problems with the original TL rotors.

 

Acura replaced my filter screen and float under warranty. The light would come on in the morning and stay on for about 10 minutes and then go off. Hope this helps.

 

mine does that once in a while, i just mess with the cap and it goes away.

 

Jimmy,

Just wondering, do you know how much wear you have left on your brake pads?

 

Thanks Lizard, I'll keep that in mind if it continues after I install the new pads etc...