No brakes & brake warning on

[Tayzorz]

Well I had a fun night the other day. Was heading home when I got into my truck and the brake warning light (same light that's on when using the parking brake) and a loud annoying ring came on.
I could barely get it to stop while driving and had to put it all the way to the floor for it to begin to slow down.
All brake pads are fine and no torn lines or fluid leaks that I can see, and the brake fluid is topped off.
What makes me really stumped is that it just happened randomly, the brakes were acting totally fine that day and all of a sudden the light came on and they started sucking.

Does anybody have any experience with something like this happening before?
I'm hoping it's just air in the lines but knowing my luck it's not lol. Hopefully it's not the booster.

 

[Troymclure]

My guess is the master cylinder failed internally and is just letting the fluid around the piston. This wouldnt have any outside leaks to see, and is consistent with having the pedal almost go to the floor but still stopping the truck. I believe if it was the booster, the brakes would still work but they would be non assisted, and the pedal would be super stiff.

 

[Tayzorz]

My guess is the master cylinder failed internally and is just letting the fluid around the piston. This wouldnt have any outside leaks to see, and is consistent with having the pedal almost go to the floor but still stopping the truck. I believe if it was the booster, the brakes would still work but they would be non assisted, and the pedal would be super stiff.

alright thanks for the help man. Hopefully that is the problem and I'll get it fixed soon enough.

 

[Troymclure]

alright thanks for the help man. Hopefully that is the problem and I'll get it fixed soon enough.

No problem. Good luck with it. It seems a new oem master cylinder is around $900 so a good used one or rebuild kit might be the best bet

 

[Bossman]

Here is my post from this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/122045-complete-brake-failure-thanks-toyota.html

I'll add in my recent experience with a complete brake failure - 2003 Limited V8 with 150,000 km.

Was driving in city traffic when the brake warning (red) indicator lit up on the dash. I did not notice any major difference in braking power the first few stops after this indicator came on.

Then as I continued additional warning (orange) indicators lit up - I believe they were the ABS, TRAC and VSC - accompanied by a high pitched audible warning.

When I went to depress the brake pedal, it went to the floor with little resistance. As I was approaching stopped traffic, I had to quickly take evasive action by changing lanes and then bailing into a nearby parking lot - all the while applying the parking brake during this emergency.

Fortunately, the parking brake did eventually bring me to a complete stop. I was able to avoid contact with any other vehicles or pedestrians, and no body damage was done to my T4R.

Shaken by this experience, I immediately called my local Toyota dealership. A towing company came to the parking lot and using a flatbed my T4R was brought to the dealership. While waiting for the tow, I looked under the hood and observed the brake fluid reservoir to be completely empty - had been fine the last time I checked it.

Once up on the hoist at the dealership, the cause was found to be a failed brake line just above the rear axle on the driver's side. Cause of the failure was attributed to corrosion (we use a lot of road salt up here during the winter).

My T4R is still at the dealership awaiting the arrival of new brake lines.

Returning home, there was no evidence of any leak in the driveway from the area that the brake line failed. Thus, a catastrophic failure!

 

[preacher35]

Here is my post from this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/122045-complete-brake-failure-thanks-toyota.html

I'll add in my recent experience with a complete brake failure - 2003 Limited V8 with 150,000 km.

Was driving in city traffic when the brake warning (red) indicator lit up on the dash. I did not notice any major difference in braking power the first few stops after this indicator came on.

Then as I continued additional warning (orange) indicators lit up - I believe they were the ABS, TRAC and VSC - accompanied by a high pitched audible warning.

When I went to depress the brake pedal, it went to the floor with little resistance. As I was approaching stopped traffic, I had to quickly take evasive action by changing lanes and then bailing into a nearby parking lot - all the while applying the parking brake during this emergency.

Fortunately, the parking brake did eventually bring me to a complete stop. I was able to avoid contact with any other vehicles or pedestrians, and no body damage was done to my T4R.

Shaken by this experience, I immediately called my local Toyota dealership. A towing company came to the parking lot and using a flatbed my T4R was brought to the dealership. While waiting for the tow, I looked under the hood and observed the brake fluid reservoir to be completely empty - had been fine the last time I checked it.

Once up on the hoist at the dealership, the cause was found to be a failed brake line just above the rear axle on the driver's side. Cause of the failure was attributed to corrosion (we use a lot of road salt up here during the winter).

My T4R is still at the dealership awaiting the arrival of new brake lines.

Returning home, there was no evidence of any leak in the driveway from the area that the brake line failed. Thus, a catastrophic failure!

It does not sound like the same problem as the OP's. He stated that he inspected all of the brake lines with no issues and that his reservoir is full. Thus, I am inclined to think that it is his master cylinder. And, [MENTION=84676]Tayzorz[/MENTION], I regret to say that if it is your MC, this is NOT good news. As I discovered last week, that a replacement master cylinder is a OEM part ONLY and it runs around $995.00. THERE IS NO REBUILD KIT FOR IT as [MENTION=66389]BlackWorksInc[/MENTION] was kind enough to point out. Please keep us updated!

 

[Bossman]

It does not sound like the same problem as the OP's. He stated that he inspected all of the brake lines with no issues and that his reservoir is full. Thus, I am inclined to think that it is his master cylinder

OP - "Does anybody have any experience with something like this happening before?"

I was simply posting to share the experience of losing braking ability, and the nerve-wracking ride to get the vehicle stopped while driving (in traffic).

My brake failure was due to loss of fluid in the brake lines due to corrosion. The OP did say the lines and fluid level seems fine - leading me to agree with the diagnosis of a likely master cylinder problem.

 

[preacher35]

OP - "Does anybody have any experience with something like this happening before?"

I was simply posting to share the experience of losing braking ability, and the nerve-wracking ride to get the vehicle stopped while driving (in traffic).

My brake failure was due to loss of fluid in the brake lines due to corrosion. The OP did say the lines and fluid level seems fine - leading me to agree with the diagnosis of a likely master cylinder problem.

Ok, relax. It was definitely not a criticism. All opinions are welcome here. All is well. Carry on!

 

[earthrealm]

ny buzzing sound from the MC prior to this?

 

[NorthGawanderer]

Had the same thing happen to me on my 07 2WD T4R.
Pedal went straight to the floor and nothing happened. Only I discovered I had accidentally left my parking brake on because it was up on jacks, and once disengaged, everything worked fine.

 

[Bluelinebroker]

Just bought 2004 v8 sport . Drove it no brakes but dash lit up like Christmas. I put fluid in it but didnt give me brakes. High pitch sound coming from dash too. Help.

 

[earthrealm]

Just bought 2004 v8 sport . Drove it no brakes but dash lit up like Christmas. I put fluid in it but didnt give me brakes. High pitch sound coming from dash too. Help.

the master cylinder brake assy must be toast, return the truck to the dealer and have them fix it, they sold a lemon to you

 

[DZNUTS]

the master cylinder brake assy must be toast, return the truck to the dealer and have them fix it, they sold a lemon to you

Better yet, call the dealer and have them tow it back at their expense. DO NOT drive it back without fully functioning brakes


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