DupermanDave

lately its been getting colder at night. Whenever i leave work to go home my brake warning light flicks on. I have the parking brake light switch disconnected below the dash, so this shouldnt be happening. ill start driving and it will flick on until i go over some rough bumps or wait until it goes off on its own. Whats up? Is this a warning for something?

just a 22re

check your bake fluid is it low? or it could be the little dohicky inside the res that tells you its low make sure it moves nicely and free

Jay351

Well, on my truck, the e-brake doesnt retract 100% in the morning. So I have to drive a few mins and then push the handle down again. This turns it off... Are you sure your e-brake handle is fully depressing the switch?

Also check the fluid, fill it past full. giggle the sensor on the lid to make sure its working accuratly.

just a 22re

the wire on the e-brake switch is diconected

Jay351

My bad....im tired.

Matt16

Mine does the same things when its been cold and I park on a hill. There's nothing wrong with the brakes on mine except the pads are wearing thin.

22mr2

Low brake fluid indicator? Id check the fluid level.

Matt16

When its cold, sometimes the light goes on anyways.

DupermanDave

Fluid levels are okay. Could use a little more as it's on the "min" level. But everything else is okay. Checked the rear brakes to make sure they weren't still clapped onto the wheel. Everything is disengaged. When I drove to work I didn't get the light, but I know for certain tonight (it will be cold tonight) that the light will come on.

I was reading another thread for a newer 4-runner. The issue was almost the same, and the problem turned out to be the speed sensor. Do the 89 truck 4x4 models have a speed sensor, or is it just cable driven?

Cyberman

I'd still say fill up the brake fluid, and see what happens. And what year is this 4Runner? The speed sensor they're talking about is probably for ABS.

pwd

After I replaces front brakes, I had the light come on. I topped the fluid up past the MAX and it has been fine ever since.I got that suggestion here on yotatech.

blacklabel

sounds like the brake failure warning valve aka pressure differential valve. you've probably got a leak somewhere in your brake system.. does the brake pedal travel far down to the firewall?

apalmer1

does your vehicle have ABS? that is the speed sensor they are reffering to. usually problems with the reluctance sensor turn on an ABS light though not a brake warning light. If you ebrake wire is unplugged fill the reservoir to the max and go from there. i dont think there are even any other warning indicators on a rig that old...

DupermanDave

It was a 2005 4runner, I believe. My truck is an 89, though. Pretty sure it doesnt have ABS or even half the amount of sensors in a newer 2005 model.

I'll go ahead and fill up the brake fluid. I was going to do that anyway, along with the transmission fluid.

blacklabel

the brake system is a CLOSED system. if your fluid is low enough to throw the warning light then either A) you have a leak somewhere and you're loosing fluid, or B) your brake linings are VERY worn

either way i would have someone that knows what they are doing check it out for you.

scuba

Check your blinker fluid level

[/A-Hole mode]

Matt16

You mean the brake light fluid?

scuba

No, i was just bored

Matt16

read it again, so was I.

cbrsport17

Same thing for me, after i bled the brakes when i installed the lift it started coming on, checked yotatech and found out that the light is for the brake fluid as well, so i filled it to max and havent seen the light come back on yet, unless i pull the parking brake....