Engine Drivetrain 1st Gen Cooper S Brake light on?

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by goaljnky, Jan 30, 2012.

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  1. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

    Apr 7, 2009
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    Help. My brake light is on. The red emergency brake one, not the yellow brake sensor one. Anyone shine a light?
     
  2. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    Bad switch?
     
  3. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Isn't the switch located at the handle?
     
  4. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    Just found something (here on MA) that says it could also be indicating low brake fluid level. Will have to check that at lunch.
     
  5. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    I think you're on to something there. My 02 Altima has a low brake fluid level sensor that I didn't know about. Discovered after pulling all the wheels to check brakes and couldn't find anything wrong, added fluid, BINGO.
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Check the brake fluid & add as needed. As the pads wear the fluid level drops.
     
  7. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    #7 Justa Jim, Jan 30, 2012
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2012
    Did you make sure you had released the bake before you did anything else?
     
  8. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    I am not a woman. /runs for cover.
     
  9. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Well what did you find when you opened the bonnet?
     
  10. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    I found the fluid is indeed a little low, but still between the arrows. Forgot to mention that I also had a bit of a problem shifting in and out of gears the day before, so my mechanic, Danny at Minicorsa, seems to think I have a leak somewhere. Not too far fetched as I did have the slave cylinder go bad once back in the day. Anyway, will have him check it out next weekend.
     
  11. N2MINI

    N2MINI MINI of the Month

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    Not much help but mine did that one night a few years ago. I unplugged the brake light for a day or two and plugged it back in and all has been fine since...
     
  12. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Never heard of a 1st gen with a brake fluid monitor........
     
  13. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
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    You can run, but you won't be able to hide forever! :devil:
     
  14. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    Update: added some brake fluid and the light is not coming on. Will have to see if there is a leak somewhere since it was down a little more than I'd attribute to pad wear.
     
  15. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    Says you. I've been able to hide from the wife for over 11 years now and we live in the same place. :ihih:
     
  16. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I'd have a good look at all connections on the brake lines, but if it was that you'd think the peddle would be sinking to the floor & pump up with a couple of brake pumps. Look at the slave next. Be careful until you find the cause of your fluid loss.
     
  17. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    Final update: yep, the slave cylinder was leaking. Really wish they did not make that part out of plastic. That's #3 with 58k miles on the odometer.
     
  18. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Glad you found the cause, but wow. I'm wondering if there is more to the number of replacements than meets the eye. A bad installation maybe, somehow.
     
  19. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    Don't honestly know. The first (oem) blew out at about 24k while the wife was doing a car control clinic and was replaced by the dealer. Even at that time my independent mechanic and the dealer expressed the same opinion that making that part out of plastic was a weak point. Now it blew out again 34k miles later. Thankfully it's a cheap enough part. Now, I'm just waiting on NHTSA to deal with that leaking PS pump I found today. At least I have a matching set on the two minis now.
     

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