BRAKE (!) Light comes on with hard acceleration

I was wondering if this is a common problem, something that can be fixed, or something I need to get checked out. Whatever it is, its got me pissed off. When I accelerate somewhat hard, the BRAKE (!) light comes on, and the car starts dinging. Sometimes it will last 2 seconds, sometimes it wont stop til I shut off the car and leave it off for more then 5 minutes (no exact time). Any ideas?

Do you have traction control?

No, I dont (I know that from exp :)). But I dont have to spin the tires for this light to come up. Its if I accelerate hard, no real set RPM number, it kinda varieys a tad bit.

Its really odd because I looked in the owners manual and it said that lights for if theres a problem with your brake system, and to pull over right away.

I was wondering if this is a common problem, something that can be fixed, or something I need to get checked out. Whatever it is, its got me pissed off. When I accelerate somewhat hard, the BRAKE (!) light comes on, and the car starts dinging. Sometimes it will last 2 seconds, sometimes it wont stop til I shut off the car and leave it off for more then 5 minutes (no exact time). Any ideas?

Have you checked your brake fluid level in your master cylinder?

Regards

Dan

Sorry about that, traction control will not affect the brake light, if theres a problem with traction control it will be through your ABS or traction light.

The brake light should only come on when the emergency brake is on, the fluid level is low, or your brake switch is bad. If it comes on for any other reason I would have to say you have a short somewhere, possible bad ground. The only possible thing I can see is that your fluid level is low in your situation where it only comes on when you accelerate. The float in the resevoir may be sticking to cause this to stay on. Best I can do for you. My car is a 92 PA. Good luck.

The fluid level is low; I had the same problem. Also your pads are probably worn down. As the pads wear, the piston in the calapers has to travel farther, requiring more brake fluid. That's why the reservoir is a little low. The reason your light comes on under hard acceleration has to do with vacuume pressure. The more wide open the throttle is, the less engine vacuume there is.

OK, why would the brake light come on because of vacuum issues? I ask because I did not know that and if I have problems down the road I can check this out.