Red instrument panel brake light blinks.

[T.Hanson]

Not finding any thorough trouble shooting explanations anywhere.

Does it's flashing also involve brake pad wear indicators ?

Yes, I have very good stupid reasons for not changing the brake master cylinder for maybe two weeks longer. Not leaking any fluid, but the pedal does sink about 1/3 if stopped, to respond to a firm pedal with any pumping.

How far am I from total brake failure, if such an assessment is possible.

[Lenny D.]

The one in the upper left corner of the cluster #$%*?

The one notoriously guilty of indicating every brake circuit wiring failure by lighting except when the pad sensors actually are worn enough to ground the circuit and light the light?!

The brake warning light system is fraught with possibilities for this to happen and tricky to keep operationally correct. ANY wiring problem will ground the circuit and illuminate the light including a corroded connection of the plug at the light in the cluster.

Carefully start with the pad sensors (they crumble) and their connectors. Happy hunting! And replace your master cyl.

[T.Hanson]

I will inspect the discs, pads, wear indicators, connections to the top of the ( full, clear ) fluid reservoir, emergency brake switch.

Owner's handbook calls the one in the upper left of the gauge cluster the, " Brake Warning Lamp." Goes out when the emergency brake is released, stays on when fluid is low."

The, " Brake Pad Wear Warning Light," is in the lower row next to the turn signal light, or auto trans lamps if so equipped.

I understand this light ONLY reports pad, sensor funny business, NOT pending doom with any vacuum pressure related, master cylinder total failure calamity.

But I WILL change the master cylinder ASAP, as spongy is not good.

I can drive the car for a short while longer, CORRECT ?

Thank you,

[wkohler]

I have this issue on the '75, but fiddling with the switch under the handbrake can make it go away for a while.

[bizz]

When I had a slow leak at the master, the level in the reservoir would drop below the min level and the light would come on (flickering at first). I don't have pad sensors so can't comment on that

[Ley3198]

I will inspect the discs, pads, wear indicators, connections to the top of the ( full, clear ) fluid reservoir, emergency brake switch.

Owner's handbook calls the one in the upper left of the gauge cluster the, " Brake Warning Lamp." Goes out when the emergency brake is released, stays on when fluid is low."

The, " Brake Pad Wear Warning Light," is in the lower row next to the turn signal light, or auto trans lamps if so equipped.

I understand this light ONLY reports pad, sensor funny business, NOT pending doom with any vacuum pressure related, master cylinder total failure calamity.

But I WILL change the master cylinder ASAP, as spongy is not good.

I can drive the car for a short while longer, CORRECT ?

Thank you,

If the book specifies that the light is for the pads, check the connectors and wires down there.

If they sensors are new, check the harness and connectors around that area, check for corrosion and maybe clean the connectors out with contact cleaner and add electric die grease.

About it being safe to drive, change out that master and check your pads, unless you have no brake pads you should be good to go.

[T.Hanson]

Thank you to all. I sincerely appreciate the input, as my reading the owner's manual, Haynes, everything else only briefly describes the faults the lights indicate. Nothing about all of the possibilities LennyD's experience, or others know from years of ownership.

If anyone reads this far down the replies, a short trip of three blocks thinks the light blinking was a function of the emergency brake lever being one notch above down, something allowing that switch to make the dash light flicker. Even though I cycled the lever. The light remained off today.

Not to be an excuse not to check the sensors, pads, rotors, and change the master. Still, I'm thinking coincidence, not flashing before piling into somebody with the pedal on the floor.

[Lenny D.]

Count your blessings. And don't fix what ain't broken!

Yes, the complete release of the handbrake can trick you, since those highly efficient and astute Germans engineered two systems into the same warning light.

But address that leaky master cyl. before you have potentially more problems. Or don't drive the car until you do.

[canada karl]

When I turn the headlights on my 76 530i the handbrake red light comes on? Some kind of gremlin in that circuit for sure.