E-brake indicator light stays on, but dim. Why?

[Daveed]

'90 4runner. When I release the parking brake lever the light on the dash only dims to half of its brightness. It doesn't go out like it used to. It wouldnt' be that big of a deal but the cruise control won't work when this occurs. The haynes manual shows the cruise control computer has a line going to the parking brake system so I am guessing this is why the cc quit working at the same time.

Got any suggestions for what and where to check to fix this parking brake indicator light problem? Thanks.



EDIT: I did find this thread but it dealt with the light staying on....not going to half dim and staying on.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7313&highlight=parking+brake

 

[Gryphon]

I would think you have a sensor sticking. If the sensor is not fully disengaging, it would read ON to your computer.

It may also be a defective sensor. This could explain why it is sticking and not letting the light go out. Could be a short inside the unit. I would try disconnecting it and see what happens.

 

[Daveed]

Thanks. I'll give that a try tonight if the weather works out for driveway repairs.

 

[fourwd1]

I bet you're low on brake fluid, check the master cylinder. :

 

[Daveed]

Last night I was able to remove the switch and test it with an ohm meter. It tested just fine . I reinstalled it and it did the same thing. Also, the dash light stayed on when the switch was removed .

The brake fluid is almost to the full mark. Maybe I will add some tonight and see if that works.

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[Gryphon]

Ya got something going on there...

I just noticed your other post about the ABS computer. I think it is time to go get your brakes checked out professionally.

I hate to send folks to mech-a-nicks, but brakes you just don't mess with. I think there may be something bigger going on in there.

 

[TSP-MIKE]

First of all check your brake fluid, If it's between the full and the low mark, the light should not be on. If it's still on, then unplug the wire going to the brake resevoir cap. If that turns it off, then you need a new cap/sensor.

I never refill my brake fluid because if your low on brake fluid, your pad are most likely on it's last mile.

Mike

 

[seniorsteele]

brake light

i also have a 1990and have had a similar problem. its seems to me when the brake light is on the cruise does not work no matter what the reason is. i discovered that my brake fluid resivour was a little low and just added some fluid.

 

[Daveed]

Thanks again for the info and tips guys.
Last night was dark and raining so I didn't get to work on the runner. However, tonight I will have a chance (don't have to work late )

I'll add fluid and see if that helps, then unplug the line that goes to the cap and see if that makes a difference.

The e-brake thing has been pretty recent (1 week). I had the brake rotors turned on saturday (never disconnected the lines so no air got in) and the pads have ~70% on them. I did not add fluid after doing the brakes. I checked the level and it is about half way between the full and low marks.

Yep, it seems as though everything is happening at once and all seems to be electrical in nature. Sort of frustrating. The A/C clutch won't engage at all (the light on the dash button comes on but the pump clutch won't engage), the e-brake light doesn't go off (only dims halfway), the abs light has been on for a long time (according to the dealer the computer is bad. I unplugged it and it didn't make the light go off so I plugged it back in), and the cruise control won't work now (probably cause of the e-brake issue).

I do believe (like some of you mentioned) that some of these are related. I'll just keep plugging away at it until I get it fixed. I will post up what it is when I get it fixed...I find that pretty useful when I'm looking for info on forums.
l8er

 

[Daveed]

Added fluid last night...didn't make a difference.

However, I unplugged the reservoir cap and it fixed the problem...the cruise control even works now . So after all that messing around it was a faulty sensor in the reservoir cap. Thanks for the help on this guys.