Emergency Brake Light appears randomly

[Lextech]

All of you guys who have just added fluid and the light went out, please check your front brake pads. The level indicator light is there for just that reason. When brake pads get thin, the pistons in the calipers use fluid to fill the space. When you do replace the pads, all that fluid will be pushed right back out of the reservoir. CHECK YOUR BRAKE PADS.

 

[cyclops13]

All of you guys who have just added fluid and the light went out, please check your front brake pads. The level indicator light is there for just that reason. When brake pads get thin, the pistons in the calipers use fluid to fill the space. When you do replace the pads, all that fluid will be pushed right back out of the reservoir. CHECK YOUR BRAKE PADS.

Spot On! I change the front rotors and pads and the random lights went away..

 

[IanB]

All of you guys who have just added fluid and the light went out, please check your front brake pads. The level indicator light is there for just that reason. When brake pads get thin, the pistons in the calipers use fluid to fill the space. When you do replace the pads, all that fluid will be pushed right back out of the reservoir. CHECK YOUR BRAKE PADS.

Exactly what I was going to add, if there's no leaks in the system, the only way the fluid level can get that low is if your brake pads are worn out.

 

[Kiefy4Runner]

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.

New poster but this actually worked for my 96 4Runner. I had the E Brake light coming on mainly during hard acceleration then turning back off even thought the brake was not engaged at all. I checked the brake fluid reservoir level right above the master cylinder and found it was right at the minimum mark. I topped her off with some DOT 3 brake fluid as the 4runner takes that and away the light went.

I plan to bleed the brakes and check the pads next to stiffen the braking and repressurize the system.

 

[adder70]

Exactly what I was going to add, if there's no leaks in the system, the only way the fluid level can get that low is if your brake pads are worn out.

I got a "front brake pads soon" but not a recommendation to replace now from my mechanic when I had them replace my starter (needed my car, no time to do the starter contact fix myself) a month or two ago.

Should I feel safe in a car where the light occasionally goes on (more on uphill and turning right, again indicating the sensor is on the front right and it is the fluid level) for the next couple of months (I work from home; VERY few miles right now) until I get time to do the pads? (NOT looking forward to outdoors in New Jersey January! Maybe a space heater?? :flamethrwoer2: )

 

[I_bRAD]

I got a "front brake pads soon" but not a recommendation to replace now from my mechanic when I had them replace my starter (needed my car, no time to do the starter contact fix myself) a month or two ago.

Should I feel safe in a car where the light occasionally goes on (more on uphill and turning right, again indicating the sensor is on the front right and it is the fluid level) for the next couple of months (I work from home; VERY few miles right now) until I get time to do the pads? (NOT looking forward to outdoors in New Jersey January! Maybe a space heater?? :flamethrwoer2: )

If you think your pads are fine till spring you could just top up your fluid and call it a day!

 

[jrhende]

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.

Yep it was brake fluid level. Was not that low. My 94 truck had the light coming on more often when cold and making left turns.

 

[DEJ0009]

hey yall I have a 97 4Runner roughly 260,000 miles and my ebrake light comes on ONLY when I turn right any help would be appreciated thanks

 

[RAD4Runner]

hey yall I have a 97 4Runner roughly 260,000 miles and my ebrake light comes on ONLY when I turn right any help would be appreciated thanks

Read the posts before yours.