Parking Brake idiot light

[ljshein]

All,

I just took delivery of my Green '99 Limited 4x4, only 54K miles Mileage is low because it's been parked for the last year.

I noticed the parking brake idiot light comes on and off for no apparent reason. The brake lever is all the way off and when the light comes on, playing with the handle doesn't seem to make a difference. It goes off 60 seconds later when the brake pedal is touched or the weight of the truck shifts because of a curve or hill.

This is more of an annoyance then anything else. I've verified I've got good brake pads and shoes all the way around.

Any suggestions on where to start looking?

Thanks!

 

[NJI]

I have a 1990 4Runner SR5 and it does the same thing. The parking break light stays on. Sometimes it goes off, but most of the time not. Also the "rear anti-lock" light is ALWAYS on.

Mine has some screwly electrical problems. Not to mention the rear-window will only go up from the console button. I have to use the key to get it down.

 

[AK602]

you probably need brake fluid.

 

[ljshein]

Guys,

I don't think it's the brake fluid... I checked that when I changed the oil.

I suspect a sensor someplace since no other electrical components are malfunctioning.

I'm still open to suggestings since I don't know how that light is wired.

Jeff

 

[AK602]

has there been an excessive temperature change since you last checked the brake fluid level? if so this can be the cause of the light, the brake fluid contracting. does the light go out after driving a while (if so the engine temp is warming the fluid causing it to expand back past the accepatable level, if not check the switch on the parking brake assy. The only things that will trigger the light is 1 - level 2 - faulty park brake switch 3 - abs malfunction which would be accompanied by the abs light as well.

 

[sharp4runr]

you probably need brake fluid.

I'd go with the above again. Did you top it off when you checked it? This happened with my 93 celica. Brake fluid would get low and I'd take a turn and the brake light would go on. Then it'd go off after driving for a bit.

Since you say its been parked for the last year, it may be a good idea to flush the brake system of old fluid and put in new fresh fluid. Only takes a couple of bucks and time if you do it yourself or with the help of a buddy.

 

[ljshein]

Excellent suggestions!

Thanks, I'll top it off just to see if that's it and then plan on flushing it after the holidays!

if that doesn't do it, I'll take a look at the switch.

Thanks very much for your advice!

 

[Daveed]

Did you ever get this figured out? Mine is doing something similar. I'm beginning to suspect the abs computer or the cruise control may have something to do with it because neither of those work now.

 

[ljshein]

Mine turned out to be simple, just low on brake fluid. It seems the light is triggered by the low fluid sensor as well as the handbrake.

good luck finding your issue.

Jeff

 

[Daveed]

Thanks for responding...old thread and didn't know if it would work.
I'll give the fluid a try and maybe flush the system also. Thanks.

 

[TechWrench]

One thing to keep in mind here. The fluid level sensor in the brake master cylinger is calibrated to go off when the level drops too low. If you don't have any leaks in the system, the main reason for the level in the MC to drop is normal brake pad/shoe wear. So, the sensor is trying to tell you that you should check the brakes to see if they need replacing before you start wearing out rotors or drums. If you just go and fill the MC to make the sensor go away, you may be looking at a more expensive brake repair problem before long.

 

[Daveed]

Good point. I actually had the rotors turned this weekend and put in new wheel bearing seals (inners). The pads were at ~70% and the shoes were almost like new. Keep in mind the e-brake light issue started before I did the brake work this weekend. However, I did not add any fluid to the MC afterwards. The level dropped from almost to the "full" mark to about half way between "full" and "low". I should have time tonight to add some fluid and see if that works.
Thanks again for the tips/info.

 

[Daveed]

I added fluid but it didn't fix the problem. However, I unplugged the reservoir cap and it fixed the problem (cruise control even works now ) Turns out it was a faulty sensor in the cap. Thanks for your suggestions and help.

 

[Byways]

With my '90 (22re w/279,600 miles), I hadn't filled the reservoir to the "max" line after recently drawing out the old fluid and replacing with new. So the brake light was on, indicating the fluid level was low. I added fluid to the "max" line and the light is now off.