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BRAKE light on a 94 850, what does it mean?

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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lext
Posts: 68
Joined: 25 January 2005
Year and Model: 1994 854
Location: Northern California
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BRAKE light on a 94 850, what does it mean?

Post by lext »

The other day I was going back to work, and when I turn on the car, the brake (idiot) light was on. This is the one in the instrument panel next to CEL and the rest, with the word "BRAKE" (in capital) on it, not the "ABS" one.

The car drives fine to me, brake including. I checked the reservoir for low-level or leaks but there's none. Brake fluid reservoir is full. When I came home, I pulled the code but there's nothing specific about brakes. (I've had some ABS codes for years, which I know what they're about, and the ABS light is on).

The next day I got in the car to go to work, and the light is off and stays off.

I'm not overly worried but I wonder what that light signifies, and how can I find out more about what caused it to turn on the other day? I think it may come back one of these days, and I want to be ready to troubleshoot when it does.
94 850 non-turbo
2011 S40 T5

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BEJinFbk
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Joined: 5 January 2008
Year and Model: '98 V70 R
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
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Post by BEJinFbk »

'98 V70 R - Well Equipped for Life Up North... ;)

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lext
Posts: 68
Joined: 25 January 2005
Year and Model: 1994 854
Location: Northern California
Has thanked: 1 time

Post by lext »

Thanks.
I found out the light is only about the brake fluid level. Which is kind of odd because I know the level wasn't low. Maybe the sensor is on its way out?
Good thing is that the light has not come back since.
94 850 non-turbo
2011 S40 T5

scot850
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Year and Model: 2000 V70 R
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Post by scot850 »

Check the connector on it is clean and fully pushed home.

Neil.
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - Sold

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