Battery light and "Brake" on dashboard problem

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Metalaid - 03 Dec 2006 07:26 GMT

Hey guys!
I have a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT.
My car was running fine until yesterday (no warnings, etc) that I gave
it to a person to do a paint job on it.
When I got the car I noticed that the Battery light was on as well as
the Brake warning light in the panel.
Also I noticed that my radio was reset to default (which gave me a hint
that the battery got discharged at some point).
I read in the manual that the brake warning light might mean that the
brake fluid needs to be refilled, however I checked and everything is
fine. The light is on still. Also when I took the car to check for the
brake fluid and shut it down, and then tried to start the engine, the
car wouldn't start (the battery died). I got some assistance to start
the car and both lights stay iluminated. If I accelerate the car to
high RPMs then the lights turn off but as soon as the RPM is back to
idle or normal RPM for driving around the lights stay on.
I had the alternator checked about 5 months ago and some parts were
fixed. I am thinking that the battery will need to be changed for the
lights to be off completely. Am I on the right track? I don't
understand why the brake light is on if the fluid is ok and brakes seem
to be fine as well.
Any suggestions are welcome.
As always thank you very much for your help.

Regards,
Teo

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Don - 03 Dec 2006 13:58 GMT

>Hey guys!
>I have a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>Also I noticed that my radio was reset to default (which gave me a hint
>that the battery got discharged at some point).

Absolutely correct.

>I read in the manual that the brake warning light might mean that the
>brake fluid needs to be refilled, however I checked and everything is
>fine. The light is on still. Also when I took the car to check for the
>brake fluid and shut it down, and then tried to start the engine, the
>car wouldn't start (the battery died).

The alternator is not working or possibly just bad battery
connections.

> I got some assistance to start
>the car and both lights stay iluminated. If I accelerate the car to
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>fixed. I am thinking that the battery will need to be changed for the
>lights to be off completely. Am I on the right track?

Probably not, Check battery connections and alternator.

> I don't understand why the brake light is on if the fluid is ok and brakes seem
>to be fine as well.

This is 100% normal. Stop worrying about the brakes. Even without a
fault, the brake warning light -- and on some cars other warning
lights as well -- is on with key on and engine off so the bulb can be
checked. The bulb check is turned off when the alternator kicks in
after starting the vehicle. If the alternator does not kick in the
brake warning light stays on.

Beware of cheap rebuilt alternators that are frequently defective out
of the box. Best bet for reliability is probably going to be pay the
price and go with Mitsubishi's rebuilt. If you can find a "Denso"
brand rebuilt you can take that to the bank also.

Don
www.donsautomotive.com

>Any suggestions are welcome.
>As always thank you very much for your help.
>
>Regards,
>Teo

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Jenifloofer - 03 Dec 2006 14:47 GMT

You might want to try checking to make sure the e-brake is completely
off. Sometimes body shops use the e-brakes to hold the car in place,
and may not have completely released it. It also sounds like you need
a new battery.

Jen

> >Hey guys!
> >I have a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT.
[quoted text clipped - 49 lines]
> >Regards,
> >Teo

Reply to this Message

Don - 03 Dec 2006 14:59 GMT

>You might want to try checking to make sure the e-brake is completely
>off. Sometimes body shops use the e-brakes to hold the car in place,
>and may not have completely released it.

Not really because if that were the case the light would not turn off
when the engine was revved as he reported.

> It also sounds like you need
>a new battery.

Battery warning lights usually refer to the charging system, NOT to
the battery.

Don
www.donsautomotive.com

>Jen
>
[quoted text clipped - 51 lines]
>> >Regards,
>> >Teo

Reply to this Message

Jenifloofer - 04 Dec 2006 14:46 GMT

Sorry about thar - got the answers from my hubby, who is a seasoned
mechanic, but he must have been wrong - oh, well, we tried!!!

Jen

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rosa.trevizo@gmail.com - 09 Dec 2006 06:52 GMT

I have a 2000 Nissan Altima and I am also having the same proble. My
battery and brake light come on. I notice that when I accelerate they
come on and when I press on the brake it comes off. My battery seems to
die out as well in which i have to jump start it to get it to start. I
am not sure what the problem might be but I was wondering if it is the
ignition control system? can anyone help?
Rosa

> Sorry about thar - got the answers from my hubby, who is a seasoned
> mechanic, but he must have been wrong - oh, well, we tried!!!
>
> Jen

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