Emergency Brake Light appears randomly

[apwdweb]

Hello,

Have an issue with the Emergency brake light… it will turn on intermittently for a few seconds as I drive around town but the emergency brake is not engaged. I’ve noticed it turns on only when I make turns or speed up / slow down quickly but it’s not guaranteed to happen everytime… does anyone know what the cause is?

Thanks. Really appreciate you taking your time and sharing your expertise.

 

[broncosi]

the level float switch in the master cylinder can make that happen. Have you checked your brake fluid levels? Reason I say this is because it used to happen in my prelude and that was the solution.

 

[Fireball]

the level float switch in the master cylinder can make that happen. Have you checked your brake fluid levels? Reason I say this is because it used to happen in my prelude and that was the solution.

x2. Check your master cylinder. Fluid is probably low.

 

[LINY4Runner]

Your fluid is low. That's why on hard stops and acceleration and turns the fluid sloshes(is that a word?) around in the resevoir and makes the sending unit think there's no fluid in there.

 

[kacura]

mine does the same thing but its not the fluid level. i can disconnect the sensor on the master cylinder and it still does it. replaced the parking brake switch also to no avail. had two techs tell me its probably a problem in the instrument cluster.

 

[LINY4Runner]

mine does the same thing but its not the fluid level. i can disconnect the sensor on the master cylinder and it still does it. replaced the parking brake switch also to no avail. had two techs tell me its probably a problem in the instrument cluster.

get a third opinion

 

[Nuke]

Both my 2nd and 3rd gen's did this due to the brake fluid level. It didn't even have to be noticeably low. Just a teaspoon to bring it right up to the line was all I needed to get my light to turn off.

 

[JeremyH]

It could also be your wheel cylinders/calipers. If they need to be bled, then it is possible for your brake light to come on. When I swapped a new rear axle into my jeep, I installed the calipers on the wrong sides which meant that the bleeders were on the bottom and kept sucking in air and triggered my brake light.

 

[twfran]

I had a similar problem in my '99 Tacoma. Added some fluid, but it did not solve the problem. Finally did brakes all around (it needed them badly!) and no more light. Probably something to do with the very thin pads, calipers and/or needing to be bled down.

 

[Snwwlkr7]

My brake light was on also. It would occasionally go off but mostly it was on. I checked the fluid and it was about an 1/8 inch above the minimum level. I added fluid up to just below the max level and the brake light has totally gone out now. Problem solved...

 

[RAB]

Well, well sounds like I just discovered the solution to my problem.

 

[Gumballf355]

I seem to have this problem too... always saw the light out of the corner of my eye when accelerating away from lights. I'll try filling the fluid tomorrow and see what that does.:fishing:

 

[RAB]

Filled it up, went off instantly. Poor 4Runner I've been neglecting you, but I'm making you all better now.

 

[Gumballf355]

Mine went away too.

 

[Salman]

I am getting same problem mentioned by previous posts. Thanks to these old post, I think I got solution. My issue is, I don't know what kind of break fluid was used by previous owner. What kind/brand of break fluid should I buy to top up the master cylinder?

Thanks.

 

[apwdweb]

Type of brake fluid used

Hi Salman,

I stopped by Oreilly's auto parts and bought the cheapest non-Oreilly's (non-generic) brand brake fluid. did that 3 years ago and the car still runs so i assume that was good enough. Was only $5 or so. Hope that helps!

 

[Aodhan]

Thanks Salman for posting in this thread! Lately I have started having the same issue. Easy fix. Light is now off.

 

[Ruiner]

nice, mine just started doing this, i figured it was the switch in the center console but stumbled on this thread. ill check the fluid in the mornin

 

[Salman]

Hi Salman,

I stopped by Oreilly's auto parts and bought the cheapest non-Oreilly's (non-generic) brand brake fluid. did that 3 years ago and the car still runs so i assume that was good enough. Was only $5 or so. Hope that helps!

Thanks for reply.

 

[Jason B]

I have same issue that just started. Randomly coming on. I just noticed it many comes on going down a hill or if I hit brakes hard and the nose dives.

Fluid is here. Im going to top off to max and see if it fixes.