The eBrake idiot light int he dash has been going on and off randomly on me lately. What gives?

 

check your brake fluid, it will be low

Matt

 

Gangus - be sure to use the search feature when you can. This has come up multiple times. If it's not the brake fluid there are other suggestions in the archives.

 

Hmm...I checked brake fluid and it is right in between MIN and MAX.

The pad indicators up front are bitching (LOTS of brake dust, and some screeching). Could that be it? Im doing Tundra Caliper/Brembo Rotor/Performance Friction Pads soon.

Hmm...on sunday, when I got my wheels/tires put on, there was a mysterious fluid all over the tire that was ont he passenger rear. Maybe thats leaking brake fluid?

Oh, I searched and all I got was low brake fluid.

 

the brake light switch is very touchy in the new toyotas. fill up the brake fluid to the max line. If you think that you are leaking breakfluid then you shouldn't drive it. Take it directly to the dealer and have them fix it under warranty. When you talk about fluids you need to be more describtive because the fluid could simply be your dog pissing on your truck. Maybe taste it to figure out what it is.

 

If topping off your brake fluid doesn't work consider checking the tension on your e brake, mine was loose when I bought the truck and tightening it solved the problem.

Also, and I am not flaming you so don't everyone freak out. You just told me that you aren't going to be driving the Runner anymore and you were buying your own car, so why would you go to all that trouble to do Tundra Calipers/Brembo Rotor/Performance Friction Pads if you are never going to use it again??

 

Yes, you need to fill your brake fluid right up to the max line. I've seen where 1 extra teaspoonful was enough to kill the light.

 

I didnt tell you I wasnt going to drive the 4Runner anymore ever. I will be driving the Runner, while I look for a car, and while I do surgery to said car. Also, Im going to need something to drive around int he snow in. How good would a tC or an IS do int he snow? tC might be OK, but the IS would be horrible. And, just if I wasnt driving it, someone else would. They;d still need working brakes. We tow a 19' boat every sunny weekend, and Im going to be towing a car hauler very often, as I have a couple projects I have to do.

 

You have confused me once again, you said your mom needed the Runner all the time now so you were not going to be able to use it anymore and therefore you were going to buy a vehicle of your own. If you take that in the snow what will your mom drive in the snow?

 

Dude, let it go! The guy is asking a legitimate question and it is completely unnecessary to continue to give him a hard time on a topic that has spanned multiple threads!

 

Hmm...how hard is it to replace wheel cylinders and brake shoes? Is it as easy ad the front?

 

.....

 

Do you have dioscs or drums in the back. If it is discs then it is as easy as the front. If you have drums then it is harder. There are a lot of springs and clips, but it isn't rocket sciernce, just time consuming. Is your wheel cylinder leaking. I have over 250,000 miles on mine and have never had a problem????

 

time to get a FSM or at least a Chiltons or Haynes manual. They have all these written out with pictures. The manuals cost about $30 from any auti parts store.

And Yes add more brake fluid. Sometimes it is just a little that is needed