Parking brake light is ON!!

[viper500]

It is 2002 protege 5 AT, and the parking brake light kept on and off when I brake without any patterns. It lights up when I brake little hard then goes off with pushing the gas or stays on otherwise. What could cause this problem?
I googled a bit, and some people said it could be either low fluid or just electrical problem.
My brake pads are checked about 3 month ago, and there were fine.

 

[CTt3P5]

First thing I'd check is the fluid. How good were your pads 3 months ago? They may have been just fine then but have worn down enough now causing more fluid needed to assist in stopping the car. Mine did the same thing a couple of years ago and I topped off the fluid, changed the pads and it hasn't lit since. Hopefully it will be that easy of a fix for you.

 

[MaxPower]

Most likely low brake fluid. Top it off and if the light turns on again soon after, find the leak.

 

[canadian357]

+1 for low fluid.

 

[viper500]

I checked the fluid and it has enough. I guess next step is getting the pads checked.
Any other things to be checked? The light was off during the commute this morning.
I hear some scratch sounds from near front wheels when I drive over bumps and was wondering if it has something to do with this.

 

[tweety2300]

Wait does the ebrake light come on if the pads are worn? Btw before you do anything I would top it off brake fluid is like 2 or 3 bucks and the light comes on between half filled and 3/4 depends on the way it feels I guess sometimes mine wouldn't come on till it was only 1/4 of the way up so spend 3 bucks and top it off before you get into the expensive stuff...just sayin for a shop to do a brake inspection your looking at 15-50 bucks

 

[MasonMetcalfe]

the little spring gadget on the handbrake lever should be checked too.

 

[MaxPower]

Top off the brake fluid because it is low. The symptoms only appear when you brake because when you brake the car dives, the brake fluid sloshes and triggers the sensor.

 

[canadian357]

If your brake fluid is good then check the switch for the handbrake.