More Fun... Brake Light

[CactusWill]

Ok, so a couple weeks ago I noticed that the brake pedal was getting softer and stopping power was diminishing. A few days later, the brake light started coming on and I knew I would have to get to work on it soon.


So a couple days ago, I got the oem ceramic pad and disc set and installed them a few mins ago.


Now before, the front calipers had been doing that 'creaking' sound thing, which mysteriously disappeared... Come to find out, one pin on each caliper was completely frozen in place with rust.


I tore the calipers down, resurfaced the pins and lubed them all the way to heaven and back. Put on the new rotors and pads, and alero stops on a dime again now.


But the brake light CAME BACK ON AGAIN. And I'm not talking about the abs light because of the sensors, I'm talking about the reg brake light.


???

[[ion] C2]

lol

look at your brake fluid level, you likely have a caliper leak. brake fluid rusts ferrous materials, so surprise at your caliper pin rust. check your lines too

[CactusWill]

There is no leak.

[[ion] C2]

There is no spoon.

Brake fluid level sensor then.

[CactusWill]

Thats what I thought of when you mentioned that, the sending unit. But I think its bizarre that it happened in coincidence with the brake performance going bad, so I'm thinking it has to be related.

[CactusWill]

Anyone?

[black]

coincidence or not. check it.

who cares if it does not make sense.

just check it.

[CactusWill]

coincidence or not. check it.

who cares if it does not make sense.

just check it.


Check, what? :nuts:

[[ion] C2]

the sensor or "sending unit" as you like to call that plug in the brake fluid reservoir

if it's not low, if you don't have leaks, and your braking system functions flawlessly as you say, then the sensor MUST be bad.

[cavaliers60]

you might need to invest in some crossed drilled brake lines. :lol:

j/k


I'd also say the sensor could be bad... so I second Ion's assumption.

[black]

Check, what? :nuts:

sending unit.

[TheEdgeofSanity]

lol, brakes are important so don't screw around with them... i learned the hard way and ended up in a ditch.

[CactusWill]

Thanks all. I'll replace the sending unit and go from there.

[CactusWill]

C2;394469']the sensor or "sending unit" as you like to call that plug in the brake fluid reservoir

if it's not low, if you don't have leaks, and your braking system functions flawlessly as you say, then the sensor MUST be bad.


Replaced it and brake light is still on.

[Gr1m]

get your brake lines bled

[Alerosaint]

Are you talking about ther brake light on the dash??? Aint that connected to the hand brake??

[CactusWill]

Are you talking about ther brake light on the dash??? Aint that connected to the hand brake??

Yes on the dash. And its not the E brake, I checked that already

get your brake lines bled


Damn. I'll do it again but I still don't think thats it

[Cliff8928]

Brake Warning System Description and Operation

Brake System Indicator

The IPC illuminates the brake indicator when the following occurs:

The body control module (BCM) detects that the park brake is engaged. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the BCM indicating the park brake status. If the vehicle speed is greater than 5 km/h (3.1 mph) with the park brake engaged, the BCM sends a class 2 message to the radio in order to activate an audible warning.
The electronic brake control module (EBCM) detects a low brake fluid condition (signal circuit is low). The IPC receives a class 2 message from the EBCM requesting illumination. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the BCM indicating that the brake indicator is illuminated due to a brake malfunction. The BCM sends a class 2 message to the radio in order to activate an audible warning.
The EBCM detects a malfunction in the braking system. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the EBCM requesting illumination. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the BCM indicating that the brake indicator is illuminated due to a brake malfunction. The BCM sends a class 2 message to the radio in order to activate an audible warning.
The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds.
The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the EBCM......

[CactusWill]

The EBCM detects a malfunction in the braking system. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the EBCM requesting illumination. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the BCM indicating that the brake indicator is illuminated due to a brake malfunction. The BCM sends a class 2 message to the radio in order to activate an audible warning.
The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds.
The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the EBCM.


Something to do with this part. It helps a little, but not much lol

[CarGodz]

Now I'm not certain about the Aleros, but I know some GM vehicles are infamous about the lights not going out after the problem is fixed... reason: The computer must be reset... Now his can be done by the dealer, with some hand held OBD II scanners, and in some cases disconnecting the battery and reconnect after 30-45 seconds.

I don't know if that'll help as it may still yet be another problem, but it's worth a shot.

[CactusWill]

I did the battery disconnect one already, and left it disconnected for quite awhile.

[rustyballs_69]

Damn Cactus all you have is problems with you car.

[CactusWill]

You're tellin me.

[Ghadsphi]

Just out of curiosity I was googling 'alero brake light on' and I came across this on www.autopartswarehouse.com (http://www.autopartswarehouse.com) and just had to share it.
"Choosing a Oldsmobile Alero Tail Light Assembly (http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/shop_parts/tail_light/oldsmobile/alero.html) will make a huge difference in the way your car or truck performs on the road."
The rest of the description is pretty funny too but that takes the f'n pie! I don't really have any good input except to try pulling codes and if you see a brake one clear it.

[Vinalero]

Sry to revive an old timer, but if I understand clearly, among all those:

The body control module (BCM) detects that the park brake is engaged. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the BCM indicating the park brake status. If the vehicle speed is greater than 5 km/h (3.1 mph) with the park brake engaged, the BCM sends a class 2 message to the radio in order to activate an audible warning.
The electronic brake control module (EBCM) detects a low brake fluid condition (signal circuit is low). The IPC receives a class 2 message from the EBCM requesting illumination. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the BCM indicating that the brake indicator is illuminated due to a brake malfunction. The BCM sends a class 2 message to the radio in order to activate an audible warning.
The EBCM detects a malfunction in the braking system. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the EBCM requesting illumination. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the BCM indicating that the brake indicator is illuminated due to a brake malfunction. The BCM sends a class 2 message to the radio in order to activate an audible warning.
The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds.
The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the EBCM.

The one in bold is the only one where the car isn't going "dingdingding" at startup or when you roll? If so I guess I found my problem...

[CactusWill]

Mine does the ding ding ding.

[Vinalero]

okok, mine doesnt. I mean, I have the usual ding ding ding when you put the car to on. But theres not another ding ding ding after, just like when the change oil light is on for instance.

[Redog]

My brake fluid sensor has been disconnected for a few years now, I'd say like 6 or 7 years now.

I plug it in and the light lights. Doesn't ding when pluged in.

How many dings when you start the car? I'll count mine and see if it's too many :eek:

[Nate's Alero]

i think i have three, is that the norm? it goes


ding ding ding diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing

[Redog]

Well I think I just found my estranged mech's old employee that opened his own shop. He can check it for me.

My scaner will only scan engine codes, not body

[Switch.]

Not sure about the whole battery disconnect, but for oil changes you have to reset from the fuse box. Is there a way to reset the light that way?

[Raziel]

You can try the reset switch in the fuse box that is on the driver side of the dash, you have to push it once and then push it again but hold it down for 30 seconds or so, you can try that and see if it resets the error code, or you could check the ebrake sensor wire, anything is worth a try for a repair that you can do yourself that's free lol.

Raz

[01OldsAleroGt]

lol this issue has been taken care of.. he sold the alero lol