Any mechanics?

[jwitten82]

I have a 1982 Cadillac Eldorado and the brake light goes on then off, the brakes work fine and the fluid is above the minimum. Any ideas what it could be?

 

[Fritsch_the_cat]

The fluid is above the minimum? Does that mean it stays full or do you have to add fluid? If you are having to add fluid you have a leak, low fluid or air in the line can make your idiot light come on.

 

[jwitten82]

The fluid is above the minimum? Does that mean it stays full or do you have to add fluid? If you are having to add fluid you have a leak, low fluid or air in the line can make your idiot light come on.

I havent added any fluid. I got my master cylinder replaced a couple weeks ago and they did bleed the brakes and put brake fluid in it.

 

[Stryker44]

I have a similar issue (different car type though) with my tire pressure warning lights comming on and off intermittently despite having the tires to the correct inflation levels.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I havent added any fluid. I got my master cylinder replaced a couple weeks ago and they did bleed the brakes and put brake fluid in it.

some sort of reset? (sounds like when they changed MC that it is of whack)
or maybe senor that triggers the light?

 

[Tabascocat]

Pads, rotors, drums, etc. Can't imagine that an 82 has the technology to give any more detail on what it could be.

 

[Fritsch_the_cat]

I havent added any fluid. I got my master cylinder replaced a couple weeks ago and they did bleed the brakes and put brake fluid in it.

I'm pretty familiar with GM braking systems from those years, however with trucks, not so much a Caddy, it probably has a much more sophisticated system especially the sensors.

So all I can do is guess, but with the master cylinder having recently been replaced there is a chance, even if your peddle is solid, of a small amount of air, just a bubble, in the line or master cylinder itself that is setting off the sensor. I would suggest taking it back to the folks who changed the master cylinder and have them check it out.

One more thing I can think of is it could simply be a warning system that your pads are wearing down, have you had them changed or checked lately?

 

[jwitten82]

I'm pretty familiar with GM braking systems from those years, however with trucks, not so much a Caddy, it probably has a much more sophisticated system especially the sensors.

So all I can do is guess, but with the master cylinder having recently been replaced there is a chance, even if your peddle is solid, of a small amount of air, just a bubble, in the line or master cylinder itself that is setting off the sensor. I would suggest taking it back to the folks who changed the master cylinder and have them check it out.

One more thing I can think of is it could simply be a warning system that your pads are wearing down, have you had them changed or checked lately?

Havent had the pads checked yet

 

[cml750]

I am not sure about an 82 model, but a lot of cars have a sensor that detects the brake fluid level. If so equipped, you may want to check the connection to that sensor.

 

[SuspectCorner]

I have a 1982 Cadillac Eldorado and the brake light goes on then off, the brakes work fine and the fluid is above the minimum. Any ideas what it could be?

If the brakes work fine then it's probably not a mechanical issue. It sounds like an electrical issue with the brake light being intermittent. You may require some new wiring or a new 'pigtail' connector. JMO

 

[SuspectCorner]

I have a similar issue (different car type though) with my tire pressure warning lights comming on and off intermittently despite having the tires to the correct inflation levels.

These cars with TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) have dissimilar characteristics. With so many variables there can be many possible solutions. You will find a sticker inside the driver-side doorway that lists your recommended tire pressures. It's easy to locate and will provide the recommended tire size(s) for that particular vehicle, as well as your optimum tire pressure - providing best combination of fuel economy and traction. This will be broken down into three groups: both (1) FRONT and (2) BACK mounted tires, and the (3) SPARE tire.

If your vehicle has a full-sized spare tire (rather than a temporary/'doughnut' spare) be sure the spare tire is ALSO properly inflated. Many full-size spares tend to have pressure sensor monitors on them, especially late-model American SUVs like Suburbans, Tahoes, Excursions... most of the GM and Ford SUVs. Also, the late-model luxury Japanese-made vehicles (especially Lexus). And some of these monitors can be 'temperamental'... you may have to add 2-4 pounds ABOVE the recommended pressure to placate the monitoring system.

Also, some of these TPMS have a 'positional' feature - where it differentiates 'front-right' from 'left-rear'. If you've recently had a tire rotation the TPMS may need to be reset to allow for the new positioning of each tire. Review your Owner's Manual.

 

[Tabascocat]

Guys, this is a 1982.....there are no sensors or fancy electronics

 

[Stryker44]

Guys, this is a 1982.....there are no sensors or fancy electronics

He was responding about my tire pressure warning light rather than the brake light in the OP.

 

[Stryker44]

These cars with TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) have dissimilar characteristics. With so many variables there can be many possible solutions. You will find a sticker inside the driver-side doorway that lists your recommended tire pressures. It's easy to locate and will provide the recommended tire size(s) for that particular vehicle, as well as your optimum tire pressure - providing best combination of fuel economy and traction. This will be broken down into three groups: both (1) FRONT and (2) BACK mounted tires, and the (3) SPARE tire.

If your vehicle has a full-sized spare tire (rather than a temporary/'doughnut' spare) be sure the spare tire is ALSO properly inflated. Many full-size spares tend to have pressure sensor monitors on them, especially late-model American SUVs like Suburbans, Tahoes, Excursions... most of the GM and Ford SUVs. Also, the late-model luxury Japanese-made vehicles (especially Lexus). And some of these monitors can be 'temperamental'... you may have to add 2-4 pounds ABOVE the recommended pressure to placate the monitoring system.

Also, some of these TPMS have a 'positional' feature - where it differentiates 'front-right' from 'left-rear'. If you've recently had a tire rotation the TPMS may need to be reset to allow for the new positioning of each tire. Review your Owner's Manual.

They were recently rotated, that could be it!