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Brake Failure!!!!

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Paps, Oct 4, 2021.

  1. Oct 4, 2021 at 4:46 PM
    #1
    Paps

    Paps [OP] Active Member

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    I have a 2018 Taco Off Road. All I have done to the drive train is different wheel and tires. 265/70-17s. Everything is factory.

    I was on a trail Saturday. Put my truck into 4LO and rear diff lock on and attempted to climb a steep hill, do to loose ground I couldn't make it. So I reversed down slowly, using the brakes. turned around, left 4LO and went back into 4WD. I kept the diff lock on. I drove about 500 yards, stopped at a T intersection in the trail, turned and drove another 200 yards or so before attempting to hit the brakes again. This time by dash lit up with "Check Brake System", "Check Anti-Lock Brake System" and "Pre-Collision System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer" warnings as well as virtually no braking power coming from the pedal. LUCKILY i was doing only about 20 on an empty dirt road and was able to stop using my hand brake.

    Long story short. There is no leaks (visual checks and it's been sitting now for 2 days with no fluid on the garage floor), no cut or stretched wires, I have removed the speed sensors and they are no kidding factory clean behind the seals. Brake fluid is still at the Full level and still looks brand new.

    I can slowly come to a stop if the truck is going under 20 mph but I have to completely stand on the brake pedal.

    Anyone experience this? Of course this happens at 3 years 1 month when the warranty only lasts 3 years.

    If this is electrical, it is completely unsat from Toyota, how do I have ZERO BRAKING POWER on a 5,000lb truck. Luckily I wasn't in traffic when this failed.

    ****EDIT****
    Issue started with the instalation of OE Auxiliaary fuse box bracket. Installed following directions from OE (At that time)
    https://overlandequipped.com/produc...-block-bracket-for-3rd-gen-toyota-tacoma-2016

    Over a period of about 2 years, this rubbed the wire going into actuator connector of it's insulation and caused a short on the bracket. This blew the 50A fuse in the engine bay fuse box.

    A trim of the fuse box, re-insulating the wire, replacing the fuse fixed the problem.

    while this was caused by the fuse box bracket, i still find it horrifying and disturbing, that a blown ABS fuse can make the braking system on this Tacoma absolutely useless and the vehicle dangerous in my eyes.

    ... for those who helped me and had great discussions talking through this issue. THANK YOU. That's what the automotive culture is all about.

    ... for those who just posted idiotic commentary, I'm glad you wasted your own time.
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2021
  2. Oct 4, 2021 at 4:53 PM
    #2
    Trail Limo

    Trail Limo Well-Known Member

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    How did you go into 4H with rear locker engaged? That's not allowed from the factory.
     
    SR-71A and 02Duck like this.
  3. Oct 4, 2021 at 4:56 PM
    #3
    Paps

    Paps [OP] Active Member

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    You're right... now you have me questioning my memory on that part.
     
  4. Oct 4, 2021 at 4:59 PM
    #4
    wilcam47

    wilcam47 Keep on keeping on!

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    Is reservoir full or empty?
     
  5. Oct 4, 2021 at 5:00 PM
    #5
    GrundleJuice

    GrundleJuice Well-Known Member

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    the OR has an electronic brake booster/controller, right?
     
    RedWings44 likes this.
  6. Oct 4, 2021 at 5:05 PM
    #6
    Paps

    Paps [OP] Active Member

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    full of completely clean brake fluid.
     
    wilcam47[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Oct 4, 2021 at 5:09 PM
    #7
    MaverickT883

    MaverickT883 Paintless

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    Check build thread!
    I believe so... this sounds like electronics related issues...

    I'll just tag the go to electronics guy in @tonered because this one is confusing me :confused: almost sounds like a brake booster failed?
     
    tonered and wilcam47 like this.
  8. Oct 4, 2021 at 5:09 PM
    #8
    splitbolt

    splitbolt Voodoo Witch Doctor

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    Any codes?
     
  9. Oct 4, 2021 at 5:10 PM
    #9
    TacomaMike25

    TacomaMike25 Well-Known Member

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    2 inch lift, Level 8 Mk6 wheels 16x8 with a 275/85r16, Aftermarket fogs with yellow bulbs, AVS bug deflector, Weather Rain guards, secondary air filter delete. PIAA halogen bulbs
    I had a failure in my 2nd gen. Stopped at a light. Moved forward then hit the breaks pedal went to the floor. Rear drums failed. Needed a complete rebuild on the left and right side rear breaks. Got it fixed at a dealer ship…drove and the breaks failed a mile from my house almost hit a silverado head on to avoid rear ending another car stopped in traffic. I wonder what caused yours to fail.
     
  10. Oct 4, 2021 at 5:11 PM
    #10
    Paps

    Paps [OP] Active Member

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    No codes

    If this is a electronic issue I will sell this POS as soon as I can.
     
    wilcam47 likes this.
  11. Oct 4, 2021 at 5:13 PM
    #11
    MaverickT883

    MaverickT883 Paintless

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    Check build thread!
    From what I understand about the TRDOR brake system, there isn't much besides lines and actual drums that can fail. If the parking brake works, it doesn't seem to be the drums.... so my best guess is the electronics system. The popups on the dash would support that theory. I'm also not a certfied tech so I could be completely off the mark.
     
  12. Oct 4, 2021 at 5:13 PM
    #12
    GrundleJuice

    GrundleJuice Well-Known Member

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    Are the "Check Brake System", "Check Anti-Lock Brake System" and "Pre-Collision System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer" warnings still on?
     
    RedWings44 likes this.
  13. Oct 4, 2021 at 5:15 PM
    #13
    Phlogiston

    Phlogiston There are no victims, only volunteers.

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    I had my brake booster go out in my Frontier years ago, could your issue be something similar?
     
  14. Oct 4, 2021 at 5:16 PM
    #14
    Buck Henry

    Buck Henry Well-Known Member

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    My advice; get it towed to a repair shop you trust and find out what happened. But most of all remain calm!
     
  15. Oct 4, 2021 at 5:16 PM
    #15
    Paps

    Paps [OP] Active Member

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    yes. I had to get it off the trail so drove it a couple more miles using just the hand brake to finish the trail (adventure all in itself). Towed it back to my house and have gone over it again. No visible issue. Lights still on, brakes still virtually zero stopping power.

    If an electronic fail causes a complete brake system failure this shit shouldn't even be allowed on the road.
     
    tcjacado and Taco16LB like this.
  16. Oct 4, 2021 at 5:17 PM
    #16
    Paps

    Paps [OP] Active Member

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    I'm calm with those helping me, but furious at Toyota itself right now.
     
    Taco16LB and tcjacado like this.
  17. Oct 4, 2021 at 5:17 PM
    #17
    crazysccrmd

    crazysccrmd Well-Known Member

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    Your entire brake system is electronic. That's one of the selling points of the Offroad/Pro over the rest of the lineup.
     
    5465 likes this.
  18. Oct 4, 2021 at 5:19 PM
    #18
    Paps

    Paps [OP] Active Member

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    ha, well f**k me. Thought I did my research and it was the opposite. Looks like it's time to upgrade to an old pickup with mechanical shit.

    thanks!
     
  19. Oct 4, 2021 at 5:22 PM
    #19
    RedWings44

    RedWings44 Well-Known Member

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    No different than blowing a brake line can also disable your brake system. Shit happens sometimes. Have you checked fuses?
     
  20. Oct 4, 2021 at 5:22 PM
    #20
    tcjacado

    tcjacado Well-Known Member

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    Maybe not related, but I have had similar problem. I was at @Superdave1.0 and working on my suspension. I had a issue with the front wheel sensor. We pur it back on the ground from the jacks and I started the truck, the brake pedal went to the floor and I am still rolling backwards. I pumped the brake pedal like a mad man and came to a stop 1 inch from hitting the house.
    The brakes were never worked on.
     

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