Brake light on after changing front pads

[kruuth]

I just changed the pads on my 94 sentra. Here's what i did:

removed wheelstook caliper offtook pads offopened bleeder valves and compressed pistonclosed bleederattached new padsreattached calipersput wheels back on

The light is now on and braking is squishy.

[OldmanPurdy]

Sounds like you got air into the brake lines, You will probally have to bleed the entire system. Just FYI most cars I have done the brakes on only require the removal of the brake MC cover to compress the piston, the bleeder screw is only used if that dosen't work due to the possibility of air getting into the system.

[dannyboyspecv81]

U GOT TO BLEED THE BRAKES

[dannyboyspecv81]

IS IT THE FRONT OR REAR U NEVER LOSE THE BLEED SCREW

[kruuth]

Bleeding fixed things but the brake light on the dash is stuck on.

[Evil_Twin]

Alright, I take it that your parking brake is off. Did you check the fluid reservoir? If the fluid is below a certain level your "brake" light will be on. Is the battery light on also? if so, then it's your battery/alternator. Please give me more information. Thanks.

[kruuth]

I'm thinking it's the reservoir then since I bled I did lose some fluid. I'll try that this afternoon.

[nametakennow]

Did you bleed at each corner?

Did you tighten the bleeders after you got done?

Pump the brakes and check around each wheel for brake fluid.

[kruuth]

Yep, they're tight. I know I lost some fluid when I changed the pads though.

How do I change pads without opening the bleeder valves?

[nissantech06]

Yep, they're tight. I know I lost some fluid when I changed the pads though.

How do I change pads without opening the bleeder valves?

You shouldn't have to open the bleeder valves. Did you open them to put the pads on the caliper? Next time, use a big set of channel locks if you can't find a brake pad depressor. It sounds like you got air in your system from leaving them open while putting the new pads on. Don't worry, you aren't the first to ever do that.

[nametakennow]

Check your fluid reservoir, your light is probably on because your fluid level is too low from when you "lost some." Even if it's not below "min" it can still cause a light.

When you "lost some" did you close the bleeders then or what? That loss is when air got into the system.

[OldmanPurdy]

Yep, they're tight. I know I lost some fluid when I changed the pads though.

How do I change pads without opening the bleeder valves?

You remove the master cylinder cap to allow room for over flow then use channel locks or some other sutibale tool (screw clamp) to compress the piston, it dosen't require much pressure. It helps to have someone watch the master cylinder while you do this to make sure it dosen't overflow, and if it gets close use a suction pump to remover excess fluid.

[Evil_Twin]

You remove the master cylinder cap to allow room for over flow then use channel locks or some other sutibale tool (screw clamp) to compress the piston, it dosen't require much pressure. It helps to have someone watch the master cylinder while you do this to make sure it dosen't overflow, and if it gets close use a suction pump to remover excess fluid.

You don't really have to remove the reservoir cap. It should already have a hole to allow air to go in.