bamboo89

Hey, im sorry if this isnt the right thread.... Its getting colder where I live, down in Birmingham, Alabama. Now, when im at home due to the limited parking, I park on a hill and i pull the E-Brake. Now, in the mornings, it sometimes doesn't go off when I push it all the way in, or it goes off and I hit the brakes and it comes on, or when I gas it it comes on then goes off.... Now, it does this even when its warming up during the day. I dont know what it could be...... Should I take it to the Dealership see what they can do.... or should I refer to the manual??

Appreciate it! -Jeremy

Dano

yeah hey i have the same problem and its not even cold where i live

Amir904

if ur brake fluid level is low, the brake light will come on. it used to happen on my mk2 supra. and it just happened on my friend's es300 too.

tc

Two things:
fluid level
e-brake adjustment

Do a search - there are multiple writeups about how to check/adjust this.

bamboo89

Okay, so i could check my Brake fluid myself....... < no duh.... and recommended brake fluid?

tc

I don't recall if it's DOT 3 or 4 - it says on the lid to the reservoir.

bamboo89

o yeah makes sense certain kind....

tc

I used plain-jane Autozone brand last time. I'm sure there is better, but I'm not hard on brakes.

Important it's from a fresh bottle though (I think brake fluid absorbs water or something like that)

Wemyss

if i were to go to the store and buy a new fluid... could i just top it off with that? or would i have to bleed the brakes or whatnot?

tc

Nope, just top off (remember to put lid back on the Master Cylinder!)

L33T35T 4Runner

Yes, brake fluid LOVES pulling water out of the air. water causes rust, bad bad bad.

also you could have a loose connection around your parking brake sensor

HUTCHSTACO

just had my light on again for the second time with my taco, just needed a little fluid, the truck takes dot 3, the dealer topped it off from a brand new bottle, just like last time i needed fluid. i bet your local dealer would do the same, or you can buy some at shucks or napa, but the dealer doesnt charge me so i saved the 3 bucks the fluid would cost.

weakyota91

not sure what the 02 master cylinder looks like, but my 91 toy did the same thing for a year and one day i took into toyota and the told me most likley my master cylinder float was bad went inside bought anew one for 32 dollars (toyota is alwasy expensive) whole thing came with wiring connector, new lid and a float unplugged the old one dropped into garbage and plugged in new one and put lid on and for 2 years now e- brake lite goes out every time i release the p brake. Just a thought.

blown4runner96

Keep it simple, stupid to start... and if your topping off brake fluid level you might want to check your brakes. This light is often a warning indicator that your brake readings are low (although Tacos and 4Runners usually get between 50 to 70 miles out of a set of pads and 80 to 100+ out of their rear brake shoes). Working off hydrolic pressure as your brake readings get lower more fluid is used through out the system and fluid level in your resevoir gets lower...

thought: if ya don't have a manual don't bother with the parking brake. If it get cold enough the moisture on the cable may help freeze your parking brake components (ie: shoes to drum). If at all possible try to use it as little as possible....