Powerbreak Dash Warning
 

Hey folks, got a quick question and hopefully you guys can give me an idea before I take my car into the shop. For the past couple of days I have noticed an odd smell, kind of metallic, when my car is running (short or long duration). It doesn't smell like spilled fluids or anything but I just can't seem to figure it out. That's not the main concern, the main issue I'm having is every time I accelerate from a stopped position the powerbreak light comes on for about 5-6 seconds. I only bring up the odd smell because it started the same time as the dash warning started

I can't get my car into the shop until Friday and I want to get some ideas before I take it in. My car is a 2003 v6 with 68,000 miles on it. The only things I can think of are possibly the break pads or the tranny are going out. I'm definitely no mechanic so these are guesses at best. Any help would be appreciated.

The ABS light comes on or the traction control light comes on.

Well I know for sure it isn't the traction control light because I usually have trac control off. Have owned the car for 4 years and have never had this particular light come on before.

Ok so I checked the manual to get the proper name for the light and it's the brake system warning light.

(ABS) like that?

My parking break light comes on when I accelerate, too...But I dont have trac control or anything like that. Mines a 96. Did it before too, went away for a while, and now its doing it again. I just assumed its some kind of malfunction with the sensor or something.

No it's not the ABS light. Checked the owners manual and its called the brake system warning light. It would make sense if it would happen if I was braking at the time the light comes on but it only happens when I accelerate.

Try checking to see if you are low on brake fluid. My light would come on with hard stops or somewhat hard accels. When the brake fluid gets low is sloshes around and messes with the sensor. Check that first I'd say.

Yea sounds like low brake fluid level. Top it off with Dot 3 brand name fluid. The smell might be brake fluid leaking from the master cyl. area and the air is pushing the smell inside the car. If its that low you may have a leak that needs to be fixed.

low brake fluid is a sign that you need to inspect your pads for wear. You probably need new ones.