E-Brake light

[mikesmith140]

1986 T4R, 22RE, no mods on the suspension or brake system (all stock) -- My e-brake light won't go off all the time. Once in a while it will go off, but very seldom. I checked the switch that the e-brake handle pushes, I pushed it all the way in with my finger and the e-brake light only dims a little bit. I also checked the brake fluid level, it's at the top of the "Full" level. The handle will go all the way down (released) and fully depress the switch, but it still will not go "off".

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Bad_Vision]

Sounds to me like you figured it out already it's the sensor.

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

Check the switch in the brake fluid cup. foam-looking plastic donut sometimes will stick and set the brake light off. When the light is on again, pull the cap and move the donut up and down, see if that changes the light. If it does, you may need a new cap.

If it doesn't, its something else.

 

[BigRyan1986]

Dito above. I had the same thing on mine. My cap functioned perfect though. For some reason it still would set off the sensor after a few days. I had to keep unplugging it and plugging it back in until i pulled the one from my parts truck

 

[mikesmith140]

As a test I unplugged the brake reservoir plug, and it made no difference when I pushed the e-brake switch in and out.

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

With the engine running? The brake light will be on when engine is off, once engine starts, light will go off.

Disconnecting the master cylinder cap switch shuts the light off if its a problem with the switch, so if that didn't shut it off, its elsewhere.

Crawl under the dash and disconnect the parking brake switch connector, you can also leave the master cylinder connector disconnected for this test.

Start engine, light should go off. If it does, plug master cylinder connector back in, light should still be off. If not, replace that one. Disconnect it again and plug the parking brake switch back in. If light comes on, replace that switch too.

One other thing, when you turn key to on position without starting, do you see the CHARGE light too? If not, you may have a burnt out bulb in the dash for that light. This could also mean that your charging system is going out.

Toyota has a dual light check system for the alternator, it lights both CHARGE and BRAKE at the same time if the alternator is not putting out the correct current. If you're seeing flickering of both lights (or just brake if the other is blown), it might be time to get the alternator tested.

If its none of the above, then its going to be a wiring issue somewhere. How is the wiring harnesses in this vehicle? Any other issues or weird connectors that aren't stock anywhere?

 

[mikesmith140]

I forgot the e-brake light was always "on" when the motor is not running, thanks FlyinHawaiian. Since I had already added brake fluid to the reservoir (which was low), the brake light went off after starting the truck and releasing the e-brake handle. Thanks for the help!

Mike

 

[penbergm]

With the engine running? The brake light will be on when engine is off, once engine starts, light will go off.

Disconnecting the master cylinder cap switch shuts the light off if its a problem with the switch, so if that didn't shut it off, its elsewhere.

Crawl under the dash and disconnect the parking brake switch connector, you can also leave the master cylinder connector disconnected for this test.

Start engine, light should go off. If it does, plug master cylinder connector back in, light should still be off. If not, replace that one. Disconnect it again and plug the parking brake switch back in. If light comes on, replace that switch too.

One other thing, when you turn key to on position without starting, do you see the CHARGE light too? If not, you may have a burnt out bulb in the dash for that light. This could also mean that your charging system is going out.

Toyota has a dual light check system for the alternator, it lights both CHARGE and BRAKE at the same time if the alternator is not putting out the correct current. If you're seeing flickering of both lights (or just brake if the other is blown), it might be time to get the alternator tested.

If its none of the above, then its going to be a wiring issue somewhere. How is the wiring harnesses in this vehicle? Any other issues or weird connectors that aren't stock anywhere?

Raising a dead post. I thought the switches were looking for a short to turn off the brake light indication? If so, disconnecting the switches would be an open & the light would remain ON. I can't get my brake light to go OFF.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Raising a dead post. I thought the switches were looking for a short to turn off the brake light indication? If so, disconnecting the switches would be an open & the light would remain ON. I can't get my brake light to go OFF.

What have you tried among things mentioned above?

Here's the schematic that shows what could cause brake error light on dash to come on.

 

[penbergm]

So both the fluid level & parking brake switches should be "open", not "closed". I was thinking it would be looking for a closed switch to turn off the light. Otherwise, they can be disconnected to bypass which is not ideal. I tested both with a meter for open/closed operation & both were fine. Guess I gotta dig a little further.

 

[penbergm]

Well shit. Disconnected both & the light went out. Turns out that the brake reservoir switch is "backwards". It reads shorted when full & open when empty. Appears the lid/switch is not stock. It is now disconnected. The fun you have when you buy a new toy. You find everyone else's hacks.

 

[kfitz77555]

With the engine running? The brake light will be on when engine is off, once engine starts, light will go off.

Disconnecting the master cylinder cap switch shuts the light off if its a problem with the switch, so if that didn't shut it off, its elsewhere.

Crawl under the dash and disconnect the parking brake switch connector, you can also leave the master cylinder connector disconnected for this test.

Start engine, light should go off. If it does, plug master cylinder connector back in, light should still be off. If not, replace that one. Disconnect it again and plug the parking brake switch back in. If light comes on, replace that switch too.

One other thing, when you turn key to on position without starting, do you see the CHARGE light too? If not, you may have a burnt out bulb in the dash for that light. This could also mean that your charging system is going out.

Toyota has a dual light check system for the alternator, it lights both CHARGE and BRAKE at the same time if the alternator is not putting out the correct current. If you're seeing flickering of both lights (or just brake if the other is blown), it might be time to get the alternator tested.

If its none of the above, then its going to be a wiring issue somewhere. How is the wiring harnesses in this vehicle? Any other issues or weird connectors that aren't stock anywhere?

Wow really, dual light system check with the alternator through the charge and brake light?
I Replaced my alternator about three years ago, and put in a new battery about a month or two ago, and both lights are still on. Well in fact as long as I have owned the truck they have both always been lit when the ignition is in the power position.
Wow am I sitting on a silent issue?

 

[penbergm]

Are you seeing both lights on with ignition ON but truck not running? That is normal. However, once it is started, both should go off.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Wow really, dual light system check with the alternator through the charge and brake light?

Yes. I know. Back then Toyota had better mechanical engineers than electrical engineers.

I Replaced my alternator about three years ago, and put in a new battery about a month or two ago, and both lights are still on. Well in fact as long as I have owned the truck they have both always been lit when the ignition is in the power position.
Wow am I sitting on a silent issue?

Perhaps you have good alternator and battery but bad wiring. Here's to help you check the charging system.

 

[thisistimmyt]

Same issue here--e-brake light always on. So I should check to see if the (1) switch under the ebrake handle works? Then (2) check the lid/donut of the brake fluid reservoir?

Any more info/direction would be appreciated.

 

[RAD4Runner]

...see if the (1) switch under the ebrake handle works? Then (2) check the lid/donut of the brake fluid reservoir?

yes.

Any more info/direction would be appreciated.

Everything you need to know is above.