97 Camry Brake indicator lamp

[makaveli3004]

Hi im new to this forum and have only had this car for approx. 2 months but just recently when i start up the car in the morning the brake indicator lamp will be on. Its nto the parking brake i know that but when i drive off and accelerate it seems to turn off but most of the times the second i take my foot off the gas pedal the lighgt comes on until i accelerate again. The Strange part about it though is sometimes it will go 3 or 4 days and then come back acting the same way. My question is what do ypu suggest i do. I do not know where the Brake fluid is located so if someone coudl help me check that i would be thankful. Also on a side note i was wondering this weekend i pulled up next to my friend and he open the door as i pulled in and cracked the side front head light and put a small dent in the body. i was wondering how much do u guys estimate this would be to fix.

[Joe W]

The light is from the brake fluid sensor.It is designed to come on when the front pads are low.The brake fluid is located on the driver side of the engine comp.on the firewall.Check the brakes.After replacing the front pads the fluid should be topped off so that it is in proper relation to the pads.Check a junkyard for an inexpensive light.

[makaveli3004]

so your saying i have to replace the front pads i couldnt jus refill the fuild see fi that solves the problem first??

[Mike Gerber]

makaveli3004,

You can just fill the master cylinder with DOT 3 brake fluid first. You can open the hood and look for the master cylinder on the fire-wall on the driver side of the engine compartment. Just lift the hood and and stand on the driver's side fender and look at the firewall. You will see a translucent object with a cap on it. Unscrew the cap and notice the max and min marks on the side. If you can't see them, then wipe the outside of the container with a rag. You will probably find the level is at or just below the min mark. Refill the reservoir to the max mark with DOT 3 brake fluid. It probably says, "use DOT 3 brake fluid" on top of the cap. This is another way to make sure you have located the brake master cylinder reservoir. You can purchase DOT 3 brake fluid anywhere; Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target or any auto parts store. A small container is all that is needed and should be less than $2. Just be careful not to spill brake fluid on any of the paint. It makes a nice paint remover. If you do, wipe it off immediately and then wash it off with water. If the light then goes out, you should be fine. I would then have the brake pads checked the next time you take the car in for service. If the light doesn't go out or goes out and comes back on in a few days, (it probably will go out) then you have a hydraulic system problem and you should take the car in immediately to a technician that you trust to have the problem diagnosed and corrected.

If your car is a standard shift and not an automatic, then you will have 2 reservoirs in that area, one for the brake system and one for the clutch hydraulic system. Both systems use DOT 3 brake fluid and it would be a good idea to fill them both to the max line. The one for the brake system will be the bigger of the two.

Mike