E-Brake Light Flashes
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
E-Brake Light Flashes
My emergency brake light (showing it is engaged) flashes when I'm accelerating for a second. I noticed it when shifting from first to second gear today.
It turned on for a second or less and then turned off immediately. No noticeable driving change.
Should I be checking for a brake fluid leak?
It turned on for a second or less and then turned off immediately. No noticeable driving change.
Should I be checking for a brake fluid leak?
#3
Registered User
ebrake is actuated by a cable, not hydrolic. Fluid level will not affect ebrake. Check ebrake switch. Maybee the lever moved just enough when under accel to let it make contact.
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco East Bay
Posts: 8,254
Likes: 0
Received 822 Likes
on
649 Posts
KnightFiyah, I think you were right the first time. The "Brake" light does double-duty, it shows when the Emergency Brake is applied, and when the emergency brake is off, it lights when you don't have enough brake fluid.
So at least check the brake fluid (and top it up if necessary). And if you top it up, watch it carefully (don't wait for the light this time). If it goes down noticeably in 1,000 miles, you've do have a leak.
So at least check the brake fluid (and top it up if necessary). And if you top it up, watch it carefully (don't wait for the light this time). If it goes down noticeably in 1,000 miles, you've do have a leak.
#5
had the same happen to me. first, check your brake fluid. if low, add. if ok, disconnect the wire that leads to the brake fluid cap. if the light is no longer flashing, its probably an indication that the float switch in the brake fluid cap is bad. i just leave mine detached and remember to check the fluid now and again.
#6
I'd bet money the e brake handle isn't pushed all the way in. So it doesn't take much jostling to contact the switch, since it's now sitting too close to it. Happens in my rig quite often because the cable is missing(so I have no more functioning e brake). The cable used to keep the handle from wanting to back out. No biggie, the first thing I do when I see the light come on is reach over and push the handle all the way in. Works every time.
Brake fluid level in the MC reservior will gradually go down as the vehicle is driven, or rather when the brakes are used while driving. Due to pad/shoe wear. 100% normal. Let it not worry you in the least. Unless you can find signs of it ACTUALLY leaking somewhere...
Side-note: Some OEMs recommend that you never top off the brake fluid in the MC reservoir. Because the next time you go to put new pads/shoes on, you'll end up having to remove some...or it will overflow out the top of the reservoir on the MC. Messy...
Last edited by MudHippy; 08-14-2012 at 07:42 PM.
#7
Contributing Member
iTrader: (1)
Have you actually checked the fluid level yet? This can happen when the fluid is just high enough that the float does not activate the light until the fluid sloshes and the float is able to drop for a second.
First thing I check when my brake light is on is that my lever is in all the way, and then I check the fluid level.
First thing I check when my brake light is on is that my lever is in all the way, and then I check the fluid level.
Trending Topics
#9
Contributing Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: TENN Native Languishing in Virginia
Posts: 4,787
Likes: 0
Received 34 Likes
on
14 Posts
Dollars to donuts it's the fluid level. I had this EXACT condition a few years back. The brake fluid resevoir was about 1/16" below the "minimum" level & when I made a sudden move, it would make the low fluid indicator come on.
#10
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Temecula Valley, CA
Posts: 12,723
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Another vote for fluid level. When you shift, moreso in low gears than high gears, the fluid will surge to the front of the reservoir and away from the fluid level sensor... just like the passengers get pinned to the seat on take off and shift forward when the clutch goes in.
#11
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon, USA
Posts: 2,027
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Brake fluid level in the MC reservior will gradually go down as the vehicle is driven, or rather when the brakes are used while driving. Due to pad/shoe wear. 100% normal. Let it not worry you in the least. Unless you can find signs of it ACTUALLY leaking somewhere...
Side-note: Some OEMs recommend that you never top off the brake fluid in the MC reservoir. Because the next time you go to put new pads/shoes on, you'll end up having to remove some...or it will overflow out the top of the reservoir on the MC. Messy...
Side-note: Some OEMs recommend that you never top off the brake fluid in the MC reservoir. Because the next time you go to put new pads/shoes on, you'll end up having to remove some...or it will overflow out the top of the reservoir on the MC. Messy...
#12
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the feedback guys.
I'll make sure my handle is pushed in all the way, check the fluid level, and if I still see the light occasionally, I'll look into replacing the switch if it ends up pissing me off enough haha.
I'll make sure my handle is pushed in all the way, check the fluid level, and if I still see the light occasionally, I'll look into replacing the switch if it ends up pissing me off enough haha.
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Northern New Mexico
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What did you find out on this? My daughter's '97 automatic does the same thing - brake fluid normal, jostling of the ebrake handle doesn't affect it. It just flashes on for a second during or just after hard acceleration.
Last edited by steveh; 04-27-2013 at 10:47 PM.
#15
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Northern New Mexico
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FS[PacNorWest]: Toyota Inclinometer/Altimeter
AkitaDog
Misc Stuff (Vehicle Related)
12
09-01-2015 08:05 AM
priest16
84-85 Trucks & 4Runners (Build-Up Section)
15
08-06-2015 07:43 AM
PopsDad1
General Electrical & Lighting Related Topics
0
07-30-2015 02:21 PM