E-Brake Problem

[Mf Baker]

for some reason the e-brake light will turn on sometimes while im driving. then turn back off. if i gas it hard it turns on immediately. also, if im on a slope and i let off with the ebrake it makes a couple of shudders before it catches. im wondering if the rears are just totally gone, or if its possibly a sensor for the light being loose or shorting or something. it doesnt normally feel like the brake is on when the light turns on while driving. however, it got cold finally and the other morning it did feel like it was engaged a little bit for a couple miles first thing in the morning.

experiences, comments, insights appreciated! thanks!

:hatsoff:

 

[steezemcqueen]

check your brake fluid level

 

[FSRMaster]

check your brake fluid, and master cylinder as it may be leaking. The same thing happened to me when my MC was on the fritz

 

[Mf Baker]

holy crap!!!! i just checked my brake fluid and it is full, but looks like its never been changed!!! i thought i checked it a couple weeks ago, but obviously not!!! its very dark and very, very viscous. brake bleeding commencing tomorrow for sure!!! i'll probably go buy some either some of the fancy blue racing stuff since thats normally what i use, otherwise likely the castarol lmt. i'm betting this will solve the problem and probably help the pedal feel a bit as well. with this and the tundra upgrade i will feel a lot better in this thing on cali roadways. thanks guys!

 

[FSRMaster]

motul dot 5.1 sythetic all the way!

 

[Mf Baker]

motul dot 5.1 sythetic all the way!

yeah, but where can i get that locally? this needs to happen tomorrow.

 

[steezemcqueen]

yeah, but where can i get that locally? this needs to happen tomorrow.

just go to your local auto parts store and pick up some DOT3 synthetic. That is the spec for our trucks.

 

[BrazilianT4R]

just go to your local auto parts store and pick up some DOT3 synthetic. That is the spec for our trucks.

x2 on that.
DOT 5 and 5.1 should be used only where specifically requested by manufacturer, since it could attack brake components not made for it.

 

[jirehn]

In this case the most important is to check first your brake fluid.

 

[JohnsD90]

To the OP for future reference, the BRAKE light on the dash, refers to the entire brake system, not just the e-brake so when it is not on from the ebrake being pulled, then the reason it is on is probably irrelevant to your E-brake.

But I also have mine come on randomly when it is cold out for a second or 2 when I floor it or just randomly within a minute or 2 of startup.