Nissan Repair: 1996 Nissan sentra GXE check engine light, nissan sentra gxe, nissan sentra

Question
Hi,
I  have a used Nissan sentra GXE 1996.  It did not come with an owners manual and today while driving home the "check engine" light came on.  I drove the car another 3 miles to my home.The car has 78800 miles. Not sure what the light is indicating?  I was wodering if it is to notify of a needed serice or if it is something that is broken? I was told that this car has a timing "chain" and doesn't need to be replace UNTIL it breaks. Is this true.  Another question:  I just had new brakes installed today(new brake pads and the rotors machined) and it seems as if I have to push the brake pedal down almost twice as far to get the car to stop.  Not sure if this is normal after a brake job and it just takes time for the brakes to adjust? or do I need to take it back to the mechanic?
Thank you for your help!!!  

Answer
Kathy,

First the check engine light could be anything on the engine sensors.  Take it to Autozone or Checker and they will check the codes for free and let you know what the problem is.  

The brake fluid should be flushed and I recommend Ford high perfromance brake fluid as it has a nice high boiling point and this will give you a firmer feel.  If the brakes were replaced with non-stock pads this could cause the long push on the pedal too.  but, do the brake bleeding first to be fure.  If the pads that they installed cause the problem go with factory pads or EBC greenstuff and they work well.