Round gold canister is NOT brake fluid (more...) (archive)

The canister you describe holds Dextron II ATF (or Dextron III these days) for use by the hydraulics (power assist for both steering & brakes). The white plastic container near the firewall with a sensor in its lid is the brake fluid reservoir.

If you have put brake fluid in the ATF reservoir, do your best to remove it all BEFORE you start the car. Check the archives for the best way to do this, and for the dire consequences if you don't.

The BRAKE light in the instrument cluster turns on if you are low on brake fluid, or if the hydraulic power assist system fails.

The too-fast turn signal generally indicates a bulb is burned out, but it could indicate a bad connection.

I'm now that person that everyone hates on the road - the one whose turn signal blinks about 100 times faster than it is supposed to. Actually that only applies to the right turn signal; the left one runs at normal or sometimes slower than normal pace.

My second problem is that my BRAKE light indicator in the instrument cluster comes on sparatically. Typically from a cold start it comes on and if I drive for even 5 minutes, shut the car off and restart it, the light goes off. I should clarify - this is the light that indicates BRAKE fluid level. The canister is the round gold canister that has a rounded screen/filter inside - am I right? I've checked it and it appears to be fine.

I'm driving an '88 535is. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

-Drew

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