So lately I have noticed that when I turn my car hard and accelerate that the check engine light comes on and then the emergency brake light flashes. It then goes away after a second. At first I thought I was throwing a code, but later realized it was just this----


Every time I drive our long-term 2008 Evo MR or 2008 Evo GSR, a warning light flashes up on the instrument panel at least once. There's a ding and then a light flashes up and then promptly disappears a half-second after I glance down.


The light comes and goes so quickly that I never have a chance to really get a solid look at it, never mind snap its photo. I can say that the circumstances that precede the warning inevitably involve some combination of a fast turn and hard acceleration.
This morning, my cat-like reflexes paid off and I got a good hard look at the warning light and later consulted the owner's manual (cheated photo from manual above).

So "CHECK" what? Well, you'll notice the symbol resembles a drum brake. On a car with four wheel disc brakes, but whatever. According the manual, there's either a fault in the brake system or the fluid is low. Also, a "brake" light apparently comes on elsewhere in the cluster.

Basically, hard driving sloshes the brake fluid in the reservoir away from the fluid level sensor. The sensor interprets this as low fluid and sends up the warning. Once the fluid settles back in place a second or so later, the now-happy sensor retracts the warning.
Our Evos' brake pads are somewhat worn, so the fluid level is a bit lower than normal (but still above the minimum) in both cars, which exacerbates the situation. And in the case of the GSR, which accelerates like a scalded hummingbird, the fluid is subjected to even more g-load-induced sloshing than it would experience otherwise.


Low-ish fluid + overly sensitive sensor = elusive warning for a nonexistent problem. Mystery solved

 

Its probably obvious but sounds like a sensor might be loose. Could also be something like a yaw sensor that only trips on turns.

 

low brake fluid

 

I have the exact same thing happening to my evo... thanks for figuring this out.

 

bc your brake pistons use up fluid when your pads are used , to cover the gap,
add a little brake fuild
remember to remove some when you redo your pads lol..

 

I have had this a few times, as well. Thanks for clearing it up!

 

+1

My car just started doing this last time I autocrossed. I checked the pads as well and there was around 3/16" of frictrion material left. When the fluid level drops enough to throw the warning light, you might want to consider getting new pads soon. You also notice the brake fade threshold happens sooner once you wear the pads down.

 

Excellent! Good on ya mate!