da_bigg_wigg

Hey, this just cropped up. My e-brake light stays on all the time. It isn't fully lit up, when I pull it the light is brighter, and when i disengage the brake it reverts to its previous state of staying somewhat lit. My friend told me its from not having enough dot3 in the master cylinder resevoir, but shes topped off. If i put any more in there shell spill over. Is the sensor NFG, or am i driving a truck thats one stoplight away from having no brakes?

celica

What year of truck? The brake fluid should not be higher than the maximum line.

Is it above the max or inbetween?

BlackFlag

I have a 92 pickup that does the same thing. There's a secondary brake resivoir that needs to be full to. My primary will need a bit every other month or so, otherwise the light will be on. Sometimes it starts on and then will go off later or everytime I touch the brake, then I know it's just gotten low, if I wait longer it'll be on all the time. I don't know where the fluid is going, but it doesn't leak that fast so I'm not really worried about it. Just make sure you top off both the primary and secondary(the little round one just to the right of the primary) also.

da_bigg_wigg

92 4runner, and ill try that blackflag. i wont find out till after work though, but ill keep ya informed

93ToyKid

The round reservoir to the right of your brake reservoir is for you clutch fluid, not brake fluid. Someone correct me if I'm wrong...

eric-the-red

I think that little round one you're talking about is for the clutch. And the brake fluid level will go down over time as your front pads wear. Doesn't mean you have a leak.

Steveh29

There is a switch in the brake fluid cap. You'll notice a couple of wires going to it. I've had that switch get corroded and partially connect - allowing a dim brake light. Jump out this switch and see if the light goes away. If it does, then that's the problem.

da_bigg_wigg

heh, thanks for the heads up. clutch is working fine. last thing i want to do is screw that up...

LittleRedToyota

yeah, sounds to me like an electical shorting problem, too. the dimness of the light points to that.

could also be in the switch for the parking brake lever...or any of the wiring in between.

BlackFlag

Ok yeah, sorry about that, it might not be for the brakes, but it uses dot3 brake fluid, so I made that correlation. Top it off while you're looking at the brake resevior. Open up your brake resevior and make sure the rubber gaskets and plastic parts are not messed up. I've seen some of those rubber gaskets become inverted or not fit back into the areas they're supposed to be in, then they leave room for extra air to be in there when it looks like it should be full, it's really not. The brake light is dual level, low light to warn of low fluid and bright light to warn of the parking brake being engaged. Mine comes on low level when I need to add some more fluid to the brake system. It's just bright enough that you can hardly see it in daylight.

da_bigg_wigg

its the most annoying thing explaining to every new person in your car that no, your e-brake isn't on. its up there along with, yes, i know its got a v6, but its only the 3.0L...

LittleRedToyota

interesting...that's a cool feature.

mine doesn't seem to work that way...it comes on pretty bright if i am low on fluid...maybe mine isn't working right or it's a difference in years or something.

JGM

Do the 3rd gen's have the same system? I never knew the e-brake light had anything to do with the level of brake fluid. Maybe I should re-read my manual?

My light is on a lot - ever since the guys at the dealership did a poor job of adjusting the rear brakes. I hate dealerships. I haven't had to time to adjust stuff myself.

JGM

Not to highjack the thread, but that sensor is the same in the 3rd gens. I topped off my brake fluid and the light went out - THANKS FOR THE TIP, GUYS!

So, do I owe the dealership an apology? Me thinks not.

castroscustoms

Definitely check your pressure differential switch. It may be in your master cylinder or your proportioning valve. If it is the switch half of your brake system could go out very soon. the cause could be a brake line or a worn seal in your master cylinder. Always check the simple things first like worn brake pads. Hope you figure it out!

Blair

Have a look at your alternator light as well. If your charging system is going south the brake and charge lights will flicker on/off

dragon564

The GEN2s are pretty touchy about the brake fluid level. Every time it has happened to me I have just top the level back to the the MAX line and it goes out. FYI the light will come just a bright as it does with the parking brake set when that float drops lower....the dim light normally shows first in corners....couple weeks later it will be dim all the time.....wait a little longer and it will start getting brighter as the pads wear down even more.......