What causes brake warning light to come on?

JD and Beastlet · 04-11-2008, 06:58 AM

During the first test drive of our new-to-us 2005 Sequoia Limited 4x4 I noticed that the red brake indicator on the dash came on at one point. I stopped, engaged then disengaged the parking brake but the light stayed on. Before we collected the vehicle yesterday the braking system was inspected by Toyota but no fault was found and the light didn't go on during their test drive. I was told it would be easier to diagnose if I was able to return when the light was on.

We've since seen this behaviour again. Any ideas what might be causing it?

Cheers,

John.

crolison · 04-11-2008, 07:00 AM

check your brake fluid level

JD and Beastlet · 04-11-2008, 07:08 AM

That's already been done - twice. Once by the independent garage where we had the vehicle inspected as a condition of sale, and again by Toyota. The problem is definitely intermittent.

The Toyota dealer checked the wiring as well. At this point I'm starting to wonder if the sensor is faulty.

eric-the-red · 04-11-2008, 08:33 AM

The fluid level sensors seem to be very sensitive in 4Runners, if the brake fluid is even a bit low they'll trigger the light, especially when braking or cornering. Make sure the brake fluid is up to the Max mark.

Though a faulty sensor is always possible, try to get the dealer to change it before you buy the vehicle.

JD and Beastlet · 04-11-2008, 06:12 PM

Having since read some other posts here on the topic, I see that the fluid level is a common cause so we'll double-check that first. Today we drove from Ottawa to Kingston (about 2 hrs) and the light didn't come on once.

We've already bought the truck, but this issue will be covered under warranty.

Thanks for the tips, everyone.

YodaPala · 04-11-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric-the-red

The fluid level sensors seem to be very sensitive in 4Runners, if the brake fluid is even a bit low they'll trigger the light, especially when braking or cornering. Make sure the brake fluid is up to the Max mark.

Though a faulty sensor is always possible, try to get the dealer to change it before you buy the vehicle.

I can vouch for this, mine turned on and turns out the pads were shot. Changed pads and went away. Oh, yeah it turned on when hard cornering and heavy acceleration from my good ol' gas hoggin lead foot. LOl

High Water Drifter · 04-11-2008, 08:10 PM

I've had this happen to me a few times with different cars. I believe this indicates a problem with brake system, which for me has been resolved by changing the front pads and service calipers... brake job = no more annoying e -brake light.

JD and Beastlet · 04-12-2008, 07:02 AM

We had the truck inspected by an independent mechanic and the pads and rotors are in good shape - lots of life left. Hmmm...

JD and Beastlet · 04-12-2008, 06:17 PM

Update: the light hasn't come on again, even after driving around town locally. We'll wait and see.

rowdy235 · 04-13-2008, 04:50 PM

is it possible when toyota inspected it they added a little fluid, enough to where it doesn't trip the sensitive sensor?

JD and Beastlet · 04-14-2008, 05:25 PM

It's possible - I checked the reservoir today and it's really full. The light is coming back on now, BTW.

***waskillywabbit*** · 04-14-2008, 05:30 PM

Adjust with a hammer as necessary.

JD and Beastlet · 04-15-2008, 09:56 AM

Y'know, I've tried that in the past. Works well if your problem is a NAIL...

JD and Beastlet · 04-17-2008, 03:22 AM

We've got an appointment with a Toyota dealer on Tuesday. They'll take the truck for the day, drive it 'till the light comes on (usually within 5 minutes of starting) and pull the code when it does.

JD and Beastlet · 04-23-2008, 12:15 PM

The truck went in yesterday as scheduled. Apparently the problem is the speed sensor. Luckily the seller is paying the bill. We should get 'er back tomorrow and I'll see if that did the trick.

**aviator** · 04-23-2008, 12:35 PM

BTW welcome to the family JD.

JD and Beastlet · 04-24-2008, 07:26 AM

Thanks, aviator.

We should get the truck back today. Updates to follow.

infiltrator · 04-24-2008, 08:04 AM

I am not 100% sure, but when Toyota last had my truck because of some spedometer problem, I felt as though my brake would not dis-engage.

For those of you that have the 2nd gen you know that the brake is like this
|----- and you have to twist and turn. Well I had to almost slam the thing.

After a while of driving like that, (maybe a month) before I was gonna take it back to Toyota, it went off. And stopped.

What I do now is not even use the parking brake. You really don't need it if you are on a flat surface. The truck is so heavy, it's not going anywhere...

**aviator** · 04-24-2008, 08:18 AM

Your problem with that is most likely related to corosion on the actuation levers on the back of the drums. It happens around here all the time.
If you go under the rear of the truck and look at the back side of the brake drums you will see a lever attached to a cable riding between two "forks" this is the e-brake lever. What happens is corrosion builds up and causes the lever to bind in the forks. No problem when setting them but the return springs in the drum are'nt strong enough to pull the lever back off again when you reset the in cab handle. To fix this problem you need to remove as much of the corosion as you can with a wire brush and then grease it with a little chassis grease. If you get it at every oil change you should have no problem there.
If the problem is the cab handle not reseting then you need to lubricate the e-brake cable if you look under the truck roughly below the pax seat you will see another lever assembly with a spring and two cable attachment points lubricate the spindle, spring, and the two cables with a little silicone lubricant and this should solve your problems.
You may need to wire brush the spring if it is very corroded or posibly even replace it if it has rusted to a solid unit [I've seen it happen lol].

JD and Beastlet · 04-25-2008, 07:12 PM

We got the truck back today. Apparently the repair (which was covered) cost a little less than seven hundred bucks and while we were driving home, guess what? Light came on again.

I decided to take the first piece of advice... I got some DOT3 brake fluid and even though the reservoir was over the max line I filled it to the point where I could just get the cap back on without spilling any.

It was a short drive home, but the light stayed off. Time will tell!

04-11-2008, 06:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
JD and Beastlet Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ottawa ON Canada Posts: 31	What causes brake warning light to come on? During the first test drive of our new-to-us 2005 Sequoia Limited 4x4 I noticed that the red brake indicator on the dash came on at one point. I stopped, engaged then disengaged the parking brake but the light stayed on. Before we collected the vehicle yesterday the braking system was inspected by Toyota but no fault was found and the light didn't go on during their test drive. I was told it would be easier to diagnose if I was able to return when the light was on. We've since seen this behaviour again. Any ideas what might be causing it? Cheers, John.

04-11-2008, 07:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
crolison Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: knoxville, tn Posts: 1,594	check your brake fluid level __________________ 97 4runner, 2.7 5speed 4wd, 4.556, 255/85/16 Maxxis Bighorns rear diff breather, 4 hella 500's driving, sliders, wilderness rack custom bumper arb locked rear toytec adjustables, ome 891's, bilstein 5125 manual hubs broken front and rear swaybars My Profile

04-11-2008, 07:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
JD and Beastlet Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ottawa ON Canada Posts: 31	Level has been checked. That's already been done - twice. Once by the independent garage where we had the vehicle inspected as a condition of sale, and again by Toyota. The problem is definitely intermittent. The Toyota dealer checked the wiring as well. At this point I'm starting to wonder if the sensor is faulty.

04-11-2008, 08:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
High Water Drifter Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 63	I've had this happen to me a few times with different cars. I believe this indicates a problem with brake system, which for me has been resolved by changing the front pads and service calipers... brake job = no more annoying e -brake light. __________________ 97 4runner LTD, rear locker, SS# 7.1, TJM T-17, Bent Up sliders, sport hood, Jaos spoiler, True Flow intake/filter, magnaflow exhaust, Nitto T/G 285's, and some other mods... 99 tacoma sr5 xtra cab 2.4L 2wd (gas saver!) 90 4runner 4wd w/ some mods. (sold) 97 tacoma 2wd (sold) "ya know, they've done studies ....60% of the time it works every time." "the beatings will continue until morale improves"

04-12-2008, 07:02 AM	#8 (permalink)
JD and Beastlet Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ottawa ON Canada Posts: 31	Pads and rotors are OK We had the truck inspected by an independent mechanic and the pads and rotors are in good shape - lots of life left. Hmmm...

04-11-2008, 08:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
eric-the-red Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Port Coquitlam, BC Posts: 2,217	The fluid level sensors seem to be very sensitive in 4Runners, if the brake fluid is even a bit low they'll trigger the light, especially when braking or cornering. Make sure the brake fluid is up to the Max mark. Though a faulty sensor is always possible, try to get the dealer to change it before you buy the vehicle.

04-11-2008, 06:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
JD and Beastlet Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ottawa ON Canada Posts: 31	Having since read some other posts here on the topic, I see that the fluid level is a common cause so we'll double-check that first. Today we drove from Ottawa to Kingston (about 2 hrs) and the light didn't come on once. We've already bought the truck, but this issue will be covered under warranty. Thanks for the tips, everyone.

04-12-2008, 06:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
JD and Beastlet Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ottawa ON Canada Posts: 31	Update: the light hasn't come on again, even after driving around town locally. We'll wait and see.

04-13-2008, 04:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
rowdy235 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sweet Home, OR Posts: 1,369	is it possible when toyota inspected it they added a little fluid, enough to where it doesn't trip the sensitive sensor? __________________ Daily Driver: 1982 Toyota Pickup Base 2WD 22R, TRD Cam,5-sp Manual, Toyota Truck Nation High Miler- 300k+ MPG: 25/32 Off-roader: 1990 Honda H3011SA Riding Lawnmower, 11hp OHV engine, Carlisle SNOW-HOG Tires MPG: 1 Day of "Wheeling" per gallon Come to the 2nd Annual Oregon Yotatech Meetup! June 26-29, 2009: Browns Camp OHV Park http://www.yotatech.com/f5/oregon-yo.../#post50902592

04-14-2008, 05:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
JD and Beastlet Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ottawa ON Canada Posts: 31	It's possible - I checked the reservoir today and it's really full. The light is coming back on now, BTW.

04-14-2008, 05:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
*waskillywabbit* Sponsoring Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 11,482	Adjust with a hammer as necessary. __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC www.myspace.com/wabfab FOR SALE: 1987 4Runner GRAY FOR SALE: 1987 4Runner RED 6th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, May 22-25, 2009

04-15-2008, 09:56 AM	#13 (permalink)
JD and Beastlet Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ottawa ON Canada Posts: 31	Y'know, I've tried that in the past. Works well if your problem is a NAIL...

04-17-2008, 03:22 AM	#14 (permalink)
JD and Beastlet Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ottawa ON Canada Posts: 31	We've got an appointment with a Toyota dealer on Tuesday. They'll take the truck for the day, drive it 'till the light comes on (usually within 5 minutes of starting) and pull the code when it does.

04-23-2008, 12:15 PM	#15 (permalink)
JD and Beastlet Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ottawa ON Canada Posts: 31	bumpDATE! The truck went in yesterday as scheduled. Apparently the problem is the speed sensor. Luckily the seller is paying the bill. We should get 'er back tomorrow and I'll see if that did the trick. __________________ 2005 Sequoia Limited 4x4, 4.7L V8, Arctic Frost Pearl 2006 Fleetwood Sun Valley pop up travel trailer The site...

04-23-2008, 12:35 PM	#16 (permalink)
aviator Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: COTKU,Ontario,Canada Posts: 5,305	BTW welcome to the family JD. __________________ Silver 1994 Hilux Xtra cab 4x4 3.0 K&N cone filter, ported MAF, advanced timing, oversize exhaust, free flow cat, "rumble" muffler custom covered SR5 seats, map lights, factory AC tv4184 style black interior conversion started mods to come... header, custom centre console, stereo upgrade tinted windows Founding member 1972TLC fan club Toyota Hilux... Get in or Get out of the way.

04-24-2008, 07:26 AM	#17 (permalink)
JD and Beastlet Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ottawa ON Canada Posts: 31	Thanks, aviator. We should get the truck back today. Updates to follow. __________________ 2005 Sequoia Limited 4x4, 4.7L V8, Arctic Frost Pearl 2006 Fleetwood Sun Valley pop up travel trailer The site...

04-24-2008, 08:04 AM	#18 (permalink)
infiltrator Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Valencia, California Posts: 1,291	I am not 100% sure, but when Toyota last had my truck because of some spedometer problem, I felt as though my brake would not dis-engage. For those of you that have the 2nd gen you know that the brake is like this \|----- and you have to twist and turn. Well I had to almost slam the thing. After a while of driving like that, (maybe a month) before I was gonna take it back to Toyota, it went off. And stopped. What I do now is not even use the parking brake. You really don't need it if you are on a flat surface. The truck is so heavy, it's not going anywhere... __________________ Old Rig: '95 4runner \| White \| ISR \| 193,000mi. \| Totalled.

04-24-2008, 08:18 AM	#19 (permalink)
aviator Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: COTKU,Ontario,Canada Posts: 5,305	Your problem with that is most likely related to corosion on the actuation levers on the back of the drums. It happens around here all the time. If you go under the rear of the truck and look at the back side of the brake drums you will see a lever attached to a cable riding between two "forks" this is the e-brake lever. What happens is corrosion builds up and causes the lever to bind in the forks. No problem when setting them but the return springs in the drum are'nt strong enough to pull the lever back off again when you reset the in cab handle. To fix this problem you need to remove as much of the corosion as you can with a wire brush and then grease it with a little chassis grease. If you get it at every oil change you should have no problem there. If the problem is the cab handle not reseting then you need to lubricate the e-brake cable if you look under the truck roughly below the pax seat you will see another lever assembly with a spring and two cable attachment points lubricate the spindle, spring, and the two cables with a little silicone lubricant and this should solve your problems. You may need to wire brush the spring if it is very corroded or posibly even replace it if it has rusted to a solid unit [I've seen it happen lol]. __________________ Silver 1994 Hilux Xtra cab 4x4 3.0 K&N cone filter, ported MAF, advanced timing, oversize exhaust, free flow cat, "rumble" muffler custom covered SR5 seats, map lights, factory AC tv4184 style black interior conversion started mods to come... header, custom centre console, stereo upgrade tinted windows Founding member 1972TLC fan club Toyota Hilux... Get in or Get out of the way.

04-25-2008, 07:12 PM	#20 (permalink)
JD and Beastlet Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ottawa ON Canada Posts: 31	More about the brake warning light... We got the truck back today. Apparently the repair (which was covered) cost a little less than seven hundred bucks and while we were driving home, guess what? Light came on again. I decided to take the first piece of advice... I got some DOT3 brake fluid and even though the reservoir was over the max line I filled it to the point where I could just get the cap back on without spilling any. It was a short drive home, but the light stayed off. Time will tell! __________________ 2005 Sequoia Limited 4x4, 4.7L V8, Arctic Frost Pearl 2006 Fleetwood Sun Valley pop up travel trailer The site...