05prerunner

My emergency brake light is always on but i cant figure out why If i pull the E brake out it gets a little brighter and if i push it back in it dims a little. Anybody else had this and found a fix? My battery gauge is good and just put in a brand new alternator about a month ago if that makes any diff. Thanks for any replies

eric-the-red

Check your brake fluid, that light is also the low fluid warning.

humanoid

Yeah, your brake fluid is low. It also indicates that your brake pads/shoes may be worn as well, you should check them out as well.

brandontrek

that was my problem...3 dollars in a bottle of fluid and she was fixed....good luck

mt_goat

There is a little switch at the firewall that is suppost to get pushed in when the e-brake is off. Your's may need adjustment or replacement.

05prerunner

ive got brake fluid but havent been that worried about it to check any switches or anything. is the switch on the firewall on the engine side or inside cab side of firewall? could definitely be my brake pads, didnt know it would light up for them too. thanks for the replies

mt_goat

Inside. Just follow the e-brake handle back about a foot.

mt_goat

The e-brake has nothing to do with brake fluid, it works with a cable and lever system. The other guys are thinking of the brake light not the e-brake light.

05prerunner

ill have to check that out, thanks mt goat!! just now on my lunch break it was off but its very rare it ever goes completely out- just dims down after releasing the e brake. havent looked under there and messed with anything yet though.

regularguy412

The MC float may be sinking in the reservoir. Disconnect the plug on top of the MC cap and see if it goes away.

Mike in AR

TexJJ

Yeah it is the sensor in the brake reservoir that alerts of low fluid level. Mine does it all the time, and I finally just unplugged it. I check the fluid levels regularly and go on my merry way. Now you would think you could just buy the cap to the reservoir and go your merry way, but OH NO, not in the infinite Toyota wisdom (actually makes sense) you have to buy the entire brake master cylinder. DOH!

Oh well.

JJ

mt_goat

Come on guys read the post: emergency brake light never goes off

eric-the-red

I thought it was the same light, when the e-brake is released that light acts a warning light. It usually goes on if the fluid is low, or if you've got a leak in one side of the hydraulic system.

05prerunner

can anybody tell me if its the same light?

ovrrdrive

My truck only has one brakelight on the dash...

And it's the same one for the e-brake, the low fluid warning, and for brake problems. I would know, I've had all three show in the life of the truck.

Exactly what are you referring to?

ovrrdrive

It's the same light, but I don't think low fluid or a brake problem are the cause of your's staying on.

When it's on it's a constant brightness. It never fluctuates and it's the same brightness for all of the problems. I would guess your problem is a faulty wire or switch somewhere. Sorry I'm so vauge, but there's several it could be.

As mentioned above, the ebrake sensor is a good place to start.

Strap22

You mentioned you replaced the Alternator. Did you use a Toyota one or aftermarket? I have seen several aftermaket Alternators that work fine but for whatever reason dash lights remain on.

05prerunner

i used aftermarket but it was doing the same thing when i bought the truck 6 months ago w/the OE alternator. i feel like its like goat said, something to do with the switch behind the e brake itself . ill check tonight and let you guys know.

blkntan

check the brake fluid.
YES, THE E-BRAKE LITE WILL STAY ON WHEN THE FLUID IS LOW

if the lite gets brighter when the e-brake is on, then the e-brake switch is working fine.

Strap22

could be .........check it out and let us know.