2005, Brake Warning Light stuck on.

2005 Tacoma base. Brake Warning Light stuck on. Even with the parking brake disengaged.

I topped off the fluid, but it was already almost full.

Brake Switch: I manually depressed it, no change. I uninstalled it and tested with a continuity tester. Not pushed in, tester beeps solid, pushed in beeping turns off. Wire going to it appears OK.

Fluid Level Sensor: I tested the fluid level sensor as well. Floating I got no beeping. Sink the "float" and tester beeps solid. I looped the plug with a paperclip and that didn't change anything either.

All the break lights work (both R and L rear and 3rd).

Is there anything common with this gen that I could look at next? I don't have a wiring diagram to trace the wires, or check if there's a fuse or anything like that.

NOTE: My ABS light is on, but it's been on for a few years now. Hasn't been a problem.

 

Most likely the ABS module is turning it on, you need to see what codes you have in the ABS and go from there.

 

The ABS light has been on for ages. The brake warning light is something new. Would something have changed with the ABS to cause the brake warning light to now come on?

 

It could have generated a new code that triggered it to turn the red brake light on.

Some ABS codes will only turn the amber ABS light on and others will turn both the ABS and red brake warning light on.

The parking brake switch is the only other input for the light aside from the ABS module, you have already checked that so the next logical step is to see what ABS codes you have.

 

Ok, thanks for the tip. I'll try stopping at a parts store to see if they can scan it.

 

On Toyota's the brake light on could indicate a bad alternator. It's weird but something to look at.

 

Interesting, I've never heard of that before unless because of low battery voltage but I would think you would have a christmas tree of lights by the time it got that low.

 

I can put a tester on there and see what it's charging at. Thanks for the tip.

 

Look closer at the parking brake switch. They are notoriously cheap and can be bent or broken

 

The battery is at 12v, and running 14.14v

 

I pulled it out and tested it. It feels ok, very smooth, and it changes "state" when I push it (solid beep when open, and no beep when it's pushed in).

 

Is the parking lever bumping it when released? Is it making contact?