Brake Warning Lamp

The brake warning lamp in the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) will illuminate to warn the driver of conditions in the brake system which may result in reduced braking ability. The warning lamp is also turned on whenever the Anti-Lock Brake System has been disabled by the EBCM. The lamp is also switched on whenever the parking brake is not fully released. Conditions which will cause the BRAKE lamp to turn on include:

1. Parking brake not fully released. If the parking brake is applied or not fully released, the switch on the parking brake pedal assembly will ground the BRAKE lamp circuit and cause the lamp to turn on.
2. Low brake fluid. The fluid level sensor in the hydraulic unit reservoir cap will cause the warning lamp to turn on if low brake fluid is detected. In the case of low brake fluid, the BRAKE lamp is turned on by the BCM via the serial data link.
3. Low accumulator pressure. The pressure monitoring module, which is contained in the hydraulic unit sensor block, will turn on the BRAKE warning lamp in case of low accumulator pressure. Low accumulator pressure may result in lack of power brake assist.
4. Hydraulic unit and/or EBCM errors. The Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) will turn on the BRAKE warning lamp if certain conditions are detected in the hydraulic unit or in the case of an internal EBCM failure. Whenever the Anti-Lock Brake system has been disabled, indicated by the ANTI-LOCK DISABLED message on the Driver Information Center (CCDIC), the Red BRAKE warning lamp will be turned on. Since the Traction Control System is also controlled by the EBCM, the TRACTION DISABLED message will also be displayed.
5. Diagnostic mode. The EBCM may cause the BRAKE lamp to flash if ABS/TCS diagnostic mode is entered.
6. IPC segment check. The IPC will turn the BRAKE lamp on during the segment check at key-on. See NORMAL OPERATION  .