Brake Light popping on
 

Lately I have been noticing that everytime I hit my breaks hard my dashboard break light illuminates. Is this an indication that it is time for a new set of shoes/rotors etc., or a that I have a short somewhere? I don't hear any squelling from the brakes and it stops fine (90 to 0 very quickly)

Re: Brake Light popping on
 

First, check the level of brake fluid in the master cylinder Second, make sure you aren't losing any fluid, a leak can be very bad.

Re: Brake Light popping on
 

I had this same problem with my Z. I replaced my pads and the light turned off. I think it is a safety device that nissan put on to tell you that you will need new brake pads soon. Try changing your pads the light should go off.

Re: Brake Light popping on
 

I don't think there is a sensor on the pads on a pre 84 Z-car. The sensor is on the brake fluid in a 280ZX, and only on the parking brake arm on all older Zs. The problem is most likely your fluid is low. When you press on the brake pedal it pushes some of the fluid into the system and the level goes down just to the point of where the sensor turns on. As for replacing brake pads, maybe you also added some fluid... or your sensor coencidently broke! :-D

http://www.zipcon.net/bleach/pages/zcar/zlogo.jpg

Re: Brake Light popping on
 

Also, if you added new pads, the increased thickness will throw the calipers farther back, putting more fluid into the system as well. The level sensor is on the master cylinder reservoir.

Re: Brake Light popping on
 

there is a fluid warning light on the later model S30s aswell as the park brake warning

280z / australian 260Z

Rusty Datsun x 2
1x Primer Gray 260Z 2+2 (Soon to be WRX blue)

I think that brake light is controlled by two things, the hand brake and a bit that's under the hood which compares the pressure in the two circuits. If the pressure in the curcuits' not equal, then the light comes one, which indicates a "failure" in one of the circuits.

Best,

Phil Sharkey

One other thing..

when the engine is about to stall, the brake light lights up.. ie like when starting the car.. it is showing a high drain on the alt.

When your battery is bad, your alt light on the guage will light, and also the brake light.