About 2 weeks ago, the brake dash light (not abs) was coming on intermittently. The fluid looked low so I topped it off. Seemed ok for a day or two but then ALL the idiot lights came on when I started it-and though it started and ran fine, the lights/wipers etc didn't work and all the gears were showing selected so couldn't tell what gear was actually engaged.

The next day the battery was dead and there was just one red dot glowing on the dash. As soon as I hooked it up to another battery to jump start it, the hazard lights came on. So I'm assuming whatever caused the "meltdown" righted itself overnight and because I'd left the hazard button down-the hazards flashed all night and drained the battery.

Once I jump started it, everything was back to normal again-no idiot lights. But now a few days later the durned brake light has come on again.

I should add I had a brake job last year (pads and rotors) and replaced the battery about 2 months ago. Mileage is about 59000.

Can anyone throw any "light" on this? Could it be the new battery is bad and messing with the computer? When replacing the battery, I left it without a battery for about 3 hours-could that cause a problem? I'd appreciate any advice.

 

Have the battery tested as it should be 12 volts or close to it. Your alternator may also need replaced,
FF

 

Thanks for the reply. Is it safe/reliable to test it with a regular meter, or better to go back to Sears?

 

Sears would be the better option as they should have a warranty on the battery, if that is where you purchased it,
FF