Dashboard brake light

[JamieG]

The brake light constantly goes on the dashboard which I can make go out by wiggling the emergency brake switch in the pull up handle to the right of the driver.

This started happening a few months ago but now it's getting annoying.

I had the rear shoes on the fifteen inch wheels replaced about two years ago but this started happening a few months ago.

Is this a typical problem with a known typical place to look for the problem?
How can I adjust it so that the light doesn't go on while driving over bumps?

 

[19963.4lsr5]

The brake light constantly goes on the dashboard which I can make go out by wiggling the emergency brake switch in the pull up handle to the right of the driver.

This started happening a few months ago but now it's getting annoying.

I had the rear shoes on the fifteen inch wheels replaced about two years ago but this started happening a few months ago.

Is this a typical problem with a known typical place to look for the problem?
How can I adjust it so that the light doesn't go on while driving over bumps?

How low is your brake fluid?


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[spartacus]

Brake light is also a warning light for malfunctioning alternator.

 

[G_Raw]

check brake fluid level first. If fine and have scanner avail scan for pending codes. If not...alternator is a good guess of what's to come. Usually it'll intermittent flash the battery light though not the brake. But I've been fooled before.

 

[RandyBobandy]

If wiggling the parking brake lever makes it go out that kind of sounds like there’s something wrong with the switch on the parking brake

 

[19963.4lsr5]

If wiggling the parking brake lever makes it go out that kind of sounds like there’s something wrong with the switch on the parking brake

Those random occurrences had me fooled and it ended up being a sticking float. It’s simple enough to bend the tab that turns on the light.


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[Outrider]

I found that if my brake fluid reservoir is only a mere 1/4" below the full mark, it causes my brake light to come on. If yours isn't completely full, first top it off, before checking anything else, and possibly prevent doing other work that might not accomplish anything.

Simplest things first is a good motto (that I don't always follow).

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I found that if my brake fluid reservoir is only a mere 1/4" below the full mark, it causes my brake light to come on. If yours isn't completely full, first top it off, before checking anything else, and possibly prevent doing other work that might not accomplish anything.

Simplest things first is a good motto (that I don't always follow).

And if it’s low check your brake pad ware.


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[JamieG]

If wiggling the parking brake lever makes it go out that kind of sounds like there’s something wrong with the switch on the parking brake

Thanks. That was my thought process too. Why would wiggling the ebrake lever make the light go out for a while?

I found that if my brake fluid reservoir is only a mere 1/4" below the full mark, it causes my brake light to come on.

How low is your brake fluid?

check brake fluid level first

Thanks. I think that must have been it because the fluid level was at the minimum, and when I topped it off, the light (so far) has stopped flickering.

Brake light is also a warning light for malfunctioning alternator.

Also sometimes worn brushes in the alternator will trigger the brake light. If you pull the lever and the brake light gets brighter then that points to the alternator

Thanks. This is amazing information. I don't see HOW the alternator is even close to being involved with the brakes but I believe you.

Toyota wouldn't mix those completely different systems on purpose - would they?

How are they intertwined?

 

[spartacus]

Thanks.

Toyota wouldn't mix those completely different systems on purpose - would they?

How are they intertwined?

The brake light indicates low fluid but also when the alternator is under charging or over charging. When the alternator is under charging below 13.5 or above 14.5V The L out put goes low or zero resulting in negative voltage to charge and brake light warning light, turning them on hence after a while the battery light should also come on.