Why does the break light come on when I hit the breaks?

Possible leak somewhere, the system could have realized there was a difference in pressure and it would send a signal to the brake light on your dash. Also, some vehicles equipped with abs that have a failed system, especially during winter, will flash the brake light when the brakes are applied. Check your brake fluid and make note of where the fluid level is, usually as soon as air starts to get in the system, you'll end up with a very spongy brake pedal when pressed and whenever you have to start pumping the brakes in order to stop the vehicle I would take it to a shop and have the problem fixed or park it and fix it at home when you can. Hope it helps

did you mean why does the brake light not come on when you hit the brakes. If your brake lights are not coming on you might have a bad brake light switch.

Toletgo, well said, well written. My compliments on a excellent post. Only thing is ABS was not available on the Corolla until the 9th Generation, 2003

Thank you ford nut, I realized after the post that I was responding to an older model base vehicle. And was unsure as to if the vehicles came with abs in that period as abs was starting to become popular. Thank you for your kind words