parking brake light on dash

[Jcal1120]

I was driving into work today...and randomly just coming from an on ramp to a freeway, my parking brake light came on and staying on for about 5 minutes.

So question is...why?

It's done it before where I have floored it and that light came on, I just tapped the brakes and it went away. But not today.

Nothing felt wrong with my brakes, granted it's about time for new pads and rotors, and possibly struts as they are squeaking. But why would this light come on for no real reason that I can think of? Thanks for any help guys.

 

[99prixgt]

I was driving into work today...and randomly just coming from an on ramp to a freeway, my parking brake light came on and staying on for about 5 minutes.

So question is...why?

It's done it before where I have floored it and that light came on, I just tapped the brakes and it went away. But not today.

Nothing felt wrong with my brakes, granted it's about time for new pads and rotors, and possibly struts as they are squeaking. But why would this light come on for no real reason that I can think of? Thanks for any help guys.

That light comes on when your low on brake fluid, you might have a leak in the master cylinder

 

[Jcal1120]

I've had the car for 6 months now. I've never added brake fluid and I know nobody else has either atleast recently. So I'll add some and give it a shot.

Any explanation as to why when I floored it a couple times the light came on until I tapped the brakes?

 

[99prixgt]

I've had the car for 6 months now. I've never added brake fluid and I know nobody else has either atleast recently. So I'll add some and give it a shot.

Any explanation as to why when I floored it a couple times the light came on until I tapped the brakes?

yeah it makes sense. Ive been in the exact situation 2wice, once in my grand prix and one on my 3800 riviera. Both times it was a failed master cylinder