Need some help! :)

[fightman80]

Just a question, I've been getting this brake light coming on (the red one that lights up when the E-brake is on), but only when the truck is accelerating?? The brakes seem good to me, and have decent pedal feel..... so curious to find out what it is. It goes out as soon as the truck shifts back into a lower gear.....

 

[I_bRAD]

Have you checked your fluid level?

 

[audiness]

sounds like a sensor going bad somewhere

 

[HCurphy]

I second the fluid level being low. At least thats how the 4runner lets you know.

 

[LittleCaesar]

ABS sensor or Neutral Safety switch?

Have you tried the guys over at Tacoma World or the like for an answer?

Keep us updated.

 

[fightman80]

Looks like it was the fluid level... and I think I have a leak somewhere, because it's the second time in recent months I've had to refill it.

I'm planning on pulling the wheels and tires off this week, to put my winter set on, and will be checking the brakes while I've got everything off.

BTW, why the heck would I go to Tacoma World to talk about my 4Runner??? lol! This site is a huge source of information!

 

[mikebontoft]

if you have a leak you'll know it. as the brakes wear you'll notice the level gets lower. Low fluid level though if you haven't already figured it out lol.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I thought it was for the Tacoma. Sorry about that. I really need to be wearing my glasses when reading the forum at night from now on.

 

[fightman80]

Well the fluid level was down. I topped it up, but the brakes still feel low for some reason. I pulled all the wheels off, and inspected all the brake lines, looking for leaks, and they all look fine. THe only place I can't see, is the rear line that goes between the gas tank and the chasis.... can't see up there.....

That being said.... the leak (if any) is small.... as it takes months for the level to go down enough to turn the light on.

One thing I should mention is when pulling the wheels, I noticed that the passenger side rotor looks hardly used compared to the driver side.... even has a light coating (dust like) of rust on it... while the driver side is shiny????

What do you all think?? Any help would be appreciated folks... I'm perplexed here....

 

[4R99JB]

Possible abs problem. You should have felt it pull though, if we're talkinfg fronts. Try bleeding the brakes. Definitely needs to be looked into.

 

[LittleCaesar]

How did the pads look wear wise in the front? Both the same?

Brake lines original?

It could be a small leak at the cylinder or caliper that isn't noticed to the naked eye.

+1 in bleeding the brakes to see if the fluid comes out correctly.

 

[fightman80]

Most of the brake lines are original, and caked in years of oil and dirt from my seasonal oil spraying . Those that are not original, are only a few years old.

I can attempt to bleed them, but not really sure what I'm looking for.... I've never bled brakes before, what does it look like when it comes out of the bleeder?? If there is a leak... would it look any different?

Sorry folks, every time I've done my brakes on my own, I've never had to bleed them, as all I had done was replace certain parts. When someone helped me (ie: Lee or my dad), I was the pedal pusher.... lol!

Thanks again for the info!

 

[4R99JB]

You'll need to find your own pusher now. There is a brake bleeder vacuum assist if you can't get someone to assist you personally. Not really something that I could talk you through on a forum post. Good luck.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I forgot to ask if the pedal has become less firm (other than due to the wear of the pads and shoes) over this time.

You want to see a steady stream of fluid when pressure is applied via the brake pedal. Anything less at any of the four brake areas and you may have found your problem area (ask Lee to look while you push the pedal). From there I'd look around the caliper pistons or pop off the cylinder cover for wet areas.

I'd also look at ALL the line connections and check to see if you might find a wet area.

Also the MC itself could be leaking. Look to see if there is a wet area between it and the brake booster. You may have to physically pull the MC off to see if it leaking into the brake booster (fluid would be in the booster).

Good luck. I hope it is a fast fix for ya.

 

[fightman80]

The pedal has become rather spongy lately..... why???

 

[LittleCaesar]

I would bet where you are leaking fluid a tiny amount of air is being drawn into the braking system. Not enough to be dangerous, and not continuously occuring, but apparent enough to the keen driver.

I'd start with all hard and soft line brake connections. If all are good, then move on to the right side front caliper. Pull out the pads and inspect the caliper. Then bleed it. If everything checks out, then move on to the right rear wheel cylinder and look over thoroughly.

 

[fightman80]

I have already looked over all the hard and soft connections... really couldn't see any wetness there.... I've got a feeling it's coming from the Master Cylinder.... almost sounds like there is air being drawn in there.... Going to call a local shop, and get them to do a "free brake inspection" for me.... hopefully they can diagnose it for me... and all I have to do is change the part.

That being said,... if one rotor is worn more than the other... do I have to change them both out???? Or can I run them as is???

 

[I_bRAD]

One thing I should mention is when pulling the wheels, I noticed that the passenger side rotor looks hardly used compared to the driver side.... even has a light coating (dust like) of rust on it... while the driver side is shiny????

Well you've got a leak somewhere as brake fluid doesn't just disappear. You're going to have to address the issue of the front caliper too, which may be related or may not be. Had it been sitting long before you took the wheels off? Some rotors can start to rust in just a couple of days if it's left sitting. Check the caliper over- there are 4 pistons so there are 4 chances for one to seize up!

 

[fightman80]

The truck can sit for a week at a time, as I alternate driving it with the Tacoma.... I work in Industrial Security and First Aid, so I carry a lot of gear around with me.... moving it from one truck to the other every other day can get to be a pain.... so each truck only gets driven 2 weeks out of a month.... unless the wife takes one out to do some shopping or something....

 

[I_bRAD]

Well the rust on the rotor might mean nothing more than it hadn't been driven for a couple of days. Easy way to check that is go for a spin around the block and see if it's still there when you get back!