Car sat for months, now brake warning light stays on

Question: I have a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero with a V-6 engine. After being gone for five months, I was backing the car out of the garage when the brake warning light came on. I have driven it several miles and cannot find a sign of a problem. Can you give me any ideas of what to look for? Chuck

Answer: Things such as low fluid level in the master-cylinder reservoir, a defective emergency-brake light switch or air in the hydraulic system will cause the light to illuminate — check them first. We’re assuming this isn't just the light that comes on if the emergency brake is left on, so it could have to do with the antilock-braking system. If the aforementioned checks don't work, have the car's computer system scanned by a mechanic to diagnose it properly.

Q: I have a 1996 Ford F250 pickup with automatic transmission. Every morning when I put the gearshift lever in drive, it takes several minutes for it to go into gear. It also happens occasionally during the day. The truck is used for work and makes a lot of stops during the day. Tom

A: A slow initial gear engagement is usually caused by leaking piston seals. After the fluid warms up, it causes the seals to expand and seal properly, allowing the pistons to retain hydraulic pressure. Have a fluid-pressure test performed when the truck is cold.

Q: I have a 1994 Honda Del Sol with 108,000 miles. It has been running well. After being driven, it was parked in the garage for an hour, and when I came back to start the car nothing happened. The battery is good; the alternator is fine. I can find no mechanical reason for it not to start. One neighbor told me to check for a computer part behind the distributor cap that can go bad. What is the name of the part, and can this be the cause of a sudden "no start" situation? Scotty

A: Under the hood, usually on the firewall, is a switch called the PGI relay. It's the relay for the fuel-injection system. There are other things that could cause your problem, but this is where we’d start.

Q: I have a 2000 Dodge Neon. I found oil in my spark-plug tube — not a little, a significant amount, although since the last oil change, it has lost only a little oil. What is the problem? Justin

A: We suspect you’ll need to have the camshaft or valve cover resealed, and while doing so, there are spark-plug cavity seals that also will require replacement. That should stop the oil from leaking onto the spark plugs.

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