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Brake Light

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by rrosebr, Nov 1, 2010.

  1. Nov 1, 2010 at 8:50 PM
    #1
    rrosebr

    rrosebr [OP] Active Member

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    Drew
    Blacksburg, VA
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    04 4x4 Dbl Cab V6 TRD
    K&N Air Filter, K&N Oil Filter, Security System MOD, Line-X Bedliner, Fog Light MOD
    I've noticed lately, since it has been getting cold, that when I first crank my truck in the morning, my 'e-brake' light is on. I try wiggling the release handle and even engaging and disengaging the hand brake. It seems to only go off after the truck and/or brakes warm up. Has anyone else noticed this issue?

    One other thing I may point out is I just did the fog light mod. Would this wiring change have caused this possibly? It seems to be more related to the weather.

    Drew
     
  2. Nov 1, 2010 at 9:09 PM
    #2
    Leadgolem

    Leadgolem Well-Known Member

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    Maybe just a worn out sensor? I have something similar with my 4x4 light. Since it's a handle on the ground there isn't any doubt when I take it out of 4.
     
  3. Nov 1, 2010 at 9:24 PM
    #3
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Central Coast, CA
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    LEER Shell with dome lights operated with 3 way switches, aux backup lights with relay and 3 position switch, modified wiring to compass/temp display and clock to include switch that disables dimming function (poor man's DRL solution), Scan Gauge 2
    Low brake fluid?
     
  4. Nov 1, 2010 at 9:44 PM
    #4
    jjsask

    jjsask Well-Known Member

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    Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
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    My 2002 4x4 did the same thing, I even asked the dealership to look at it when they were doing the frame rust treatment and they told me to either live with it or replace the E-brake cable.

    Not being satisfied with this I tried a few things and I fixed it by lubricating the torsion spring that pulls the cable back. Its just inside the frame rail behind the drivers door, I soaked it with penetrating oil and it works great now. You could try WD-40 but its not a real lubricant so use some proper spray lube. It has been 2 weeks now and it was down to -10 Celsius and the light never stuck on.
     
  5. Nov 1, 2010 at 10:14 PM
    #5
    Digiratus

    Digiratus Adventurer

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    x2

    Add a little fluid to the reservoir to see if the light stays off.
     
  6. Nov 3, 2010 at 8:10 PM
    #6
    rrosebr

    rrosebr [OP] Active Member

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    K&N Air Filter, K&N Oil Filter, Security System MOD, Line-X Bedliner, Fog Light MOD
    But why would it go off after the truck warms up? Could it have something with the cable tension changing in the cold?
     
  7. Nov 3, 2010 at 8:47 PM
    #7
    MowTaco

    MowTaco Well-Known Member

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    Mine will freeze up if it's super cold and wet... like when rain changes over to snow. That was an ugly morning... no doors would open and the e break was stuck on. I don't use it when it snows anymore.
     
  8. Nov 3, 2010 at 10:50 PM
    #8
    rrosebr

    rrosebr [OP] Active Member

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    K&N Air Filter, K&N Oil Filter, Security System MOD, Line-X Bedliner, Fog Light MOD
    but the hand brake is never engaged when this happens. I just get in, crank the truck, and the light is on.
     
  9. Nov 3, 2010 at 10:59 PM
    #9
    Leadgolem

    Leadgolem Well-Known Member

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    I'd try checking the brake fluid levels, maybe adding some, like already mentioned. I don't know if there is a separate light for low brake fluid or not. If not, then the volume difference in the fluid would explain why you get the light when it's cold. You'd be sitting very close to the point where the light would come on in normal temps. When it's cold, and the volume of the brake fluid decreases, you would get the light. Then, when the truck warms up, and the brake fluid temp and volume goes up a little, the light goes off.
     
  10. Nov 3, 2010 at 11:01 PM
    #10
    RideFast

    RideFast on the flats.

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    ...
    mine did that untill i took off the washer on the spring adjustment that was binding up the cable under the drivers side.
     
  11. Nov 4, 2010 at 8:32 AM
    #11
    Digiratus

    Digiratus Adventurer

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    x2
     
  12. Nov 4, 2010 at 11:51 AM
    #12
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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    My e-brake used to always do that. Especially when cold.

    My buddy (Tacoma enthusiast) adjusted it somehow and I've never had the problem since. I'll ask him what he did, and get back to you.
     
  13. Nov 4, 2010 at 3:39 PM
    #13
    FightFire48

    FightFire48 Taco Monster

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    I looked everywhere online and they said you could adjust it a little bit just by raising it. But even though your fluid is at max fill line the toyota dealership said fill it pass the line and your problem should go away. They almost filled mine up and since i filled it that one time never had a problem. Hope this helps
     

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