1st gen Emergency Brake Light

My emergency brake light randomly comes on and off in my 99 TRD. It only recently started doing this but it is fairly annoying.

Read other forums and the said to check brake fluid. I don't feel like that would be an issue. I am almost certain it's electrical.

I noticed that the shaft hits a switch way under near the steering column. I sprayed tons of elec cleaner and even drove down the road holding the thing shut and I still came on randomly.

Is it a bad idea to just cut the connection where the wire goes into the switch? I mean this truck is mine until the wheels fall off so I mean it won't bother me. Any suggestions or past experiences would help thanks.

 

Check your brake fluid. Mine was stuck on for while and I couldn't figure it out. Topped off the brake fluid and it went off

 

Brake fluid most likely. Mine was doing the same, I checked my brake fluid and it was just at the minimum mark but that was enough to trip the sensor when the truck was moving around. Topped it off with barely any extra fluid and haven't had the light show up since. Its really sensitive apparently.

 

Hope it's the fluid. Mine was the cable, but it's not too difficult to replace.

 

Mine was doing this since purchased, shop even said it was faulty master cylinder.
Other day when I was redoing my negative battery cable, I filled the fluid to the top, and light has been off since. Good luck

 

Actually that sensor serves two purposes. Fist is showing you have a leak in break system and you lost all your fluid. If it is not the case it is actually showing you that the time to change brake pads arrived. This is of course if stupid "top off all fluids" was not done at the oil change.

When you put new pads pistons are all the way retraced inside the caliper. At this point the fluid level should be topped to "full" level. When pads are used and getting thinner pistons move out of calipers more and more and that space is filled up with the brake fluid from the reservoir. When the fluid level is near "Low" and the switch is triggered you pars are worn to the level of "replace me now". All this of course assuming all pads are used the same (hardly ever happened) and you don't have a leak.

Anyway that light demands action, but not "add fluid" but "check your brakes".

Anyway the bottom line is:
1. If you do oil change at the shop (dealer or "quick" places) do not allow to "top off all fluids" except for gas.
2. When you see the "brake warning" light don;t just add break fluid but check your brakes. All of them. Check all lines for "sweat" check all pads for remaining life.

 

You could have opened the hood and checked it in less time that it took to write the post

It's free to check. If it's full, then move on to checking the ebrake switch, cable tension, etc.

If its not full, then find out why. It doesn't evaporate. Generally it's an indicator of worn brake pads or a leak somewhere.

 

If you have low brake fluid please please please don't top it off! There is a reason why it's low and if you just keep topping it off you're not doing your braking system any good. Find out where that fluid is leaking or have a shop do it.

 

Thanks to all who replied. I didn't think it was the brake fluid level until I noticed there was actually a sensor on the resivoir. Filled it and it helped. Should've just listened to the other threads haha

 

did you not read my reply haha please don't do that! Your brake fluid is low for a reason. It's leaking somewhere or one of your brake components is failing. Have it checked by a shop or find the issue yourself.

 

Yes. I am going to be out of town but will have it looked at soon. Thanks!