Many of you will already know this, but just in case there are guys out there like me who have had their 4Runner for a long time and thought they knew everything but it turns out they don't.... this is for you.

For the past 4 months my parking brake light on the dash has been staying on when the brake is released. At first, it was intermittent and jiggling the lever did the trick, but eventually it turned into a full time light on the dash. Yesterday I got around to fixing it. I pulled the switch, tested it (wasn't working), fixed it and thought my troubles were over. Wrong. The light was still staying on. So I went to my fsm wiring book to see if there was a fuse or something I could check. Much to my surprise, I discovered that the brake master cylinder fluid level indication system also illuminates the same dash light! And yes, my fluid was low and that was also causing the light to stay on. An interesting co-incidence too!

So just in case you're an ignoramus like me, do not ignore the brake warning light thinking it's only the parking brake lever. Check your fluid level.

Thanks for the heads up! Very interesting multi-function!

Found this out while doing a flush interesting way for Toyota to save the cost of an extra dash light!

It's actually very common with various manufacturers. With our Infiniti brand, it's a great indication to let you know your vehicle needs brakes.

Of that impresses you this will astound you-
That same Brake light will also come on with the Charge light when the alternator has a problem.

:jaw drop:

I thought this was standard info people just kind of already knew about.

Thanks for posting this.

My brake light started to come on intermittently a few weeks ago. It would occur upon braking and also upon letting off the throttle. My initial thought was that maybe it was the rear brake shoes needing replacement or something. Turns out as the cars weight would shift shift forward, the fluid would move around in the reservior triggering the sensor momentarily. I know that a brake job will be due in the not-to-distant future, but since the front pads have plenty of material for now topping off the reservior was the solution that i needed.

yes, the sensor is calibrated to light up when the brakes are worn.

We'll sort of. As pads are worn down, they require more fluid to push them against the rotor since they're traveling a further distance. As the level in the master cylinder lowers, it trips the sensor there. It can also mean there's a fluid leak as well. It's not calibrated to come on when your brake pads are low, it's set to come on when your fluid level is low. But in a roundabout way you're correct.

Very valuable info! Too bad I learnt the hard way after my rear drivers side wheel cylinder exploded while I was driving around downtown... Light came on, brakes started acting super weird and then the dash started screeching at me! Had to drive her home with the e-brake and engine braking.

If you see that light on and your e-brake is disengaged, pull over!

Same w/ my former Nissan Maxima

Interesting. For a few weeks, my (manual) 1997 4Runner had been flashing the "Park" light between first and second gear, and also between second and third gear. Adding brake fluid to the master reservoir solved it!

There's also a warning light for low windshield washer fluid level.

Who'dathunk?

Thanks for that info as my Ebrake light kept going on and off and it was annoying the hell out of me. Checked the Brake Fluid and it was right about at the MIN level.