'95 Stuck Parking Brake / Dummy Light

Hey all,

When I got my truck, the PO told me one of the drums would stick when the parking brake was released and it would have to be freed manually. Today I decided to crawl under her and see what was up. I cleaned the gunk off the parking brake levers, worked the parking brake handle a few times, then hit the levers with penetrating/lubricating oil and worked the handle again. I pulled on the cable and wiggled the levers, but couldn't seem to replicate the sticking. I put the transmission in neutral and was able to get the truck rolling simply by pushing on it. However, when I went for a drive, the dummy light was on the dash. I drove carefully, and felt no difference in acceleration or braking. When I stopped several miles down the road, after reaching highway speed for some time, I smelled, saw, and felt nothing abnormal.

So my question is: what the hell? Am I just doing something stupid? The '95 has the t-handle style parking brake handle inside the cab with a button on it, I'm guessing since the brakes are dragging little to nothing at all, there's a switch stuck closed or something.

Help is appreciated.

 

That light can be really sensitive. Depending on how I make adjustments underneath, my light will sometimes come on when I accelerate and then turn off. You can feel the rear wheel to see if it's extra hot or put up the rear and spin test it... but I'm willing to bet it's a finicky light sensor.

 

Brake fluid low?

 

I'll check the reservoir. My mom took the truck to Tireman or Belle Tire or something and they pulled the parking brake (even though she told them about the stickiness) and they were able to manually release it. Should I just follow the cable from the split at the rear and try to free it up anywhere else it may be binding?

 

often its the handle needs to go in another inch or so, often it looks like its all the way in, but it isn't, so pull the release button and turn the handle pull it out a tad to release the catch, then push it in all the way to double and triple check its pushed in all the way.

I use the parking brake at the boat launch all the time and about 1 out of 6 times its not all the way in, even though I know about this issue. what happens is your hand gets lazy and twists a little as you push it in so its in enough to release the brake and have the light go off and then later the light comes on and sure enough it was still out about an inch.

when its all the way in in should move in against the spring pressure when you push on it, if its solid then its still caught on a notch or two from being fully in.

also as others have said, low brake fluid even as little as 1/4" below full mark can cause the brake light to come on, especially if on a hill or angle

 

See my post in this thread. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/e-brake-light-stays-on.102287/

 

I topped off the fluid, which was about 3/8" below the "MAX" line on the reservoir. The light is still on. To set both my and my mother's minds at ease: if the brakes were dragging, I wouldn't be able to push the thing up my driveway and have it still roll when I stop shoving, right? Tomorrow in the daylight I think I will check out the cable and bell crank up front, someone mentioned those in the thread pofarm linked. I have played with the handle to no end. Nada. Is the switch easily accessible? I saw a picture in aforementioned thread but not a location. Which brings me to my final question: is there a good source for a service manual PDF, like Haynes'? (God forbid I spend $20 on a physical one...) Thanks guys and gals.

 

The switch is under the dash next to the rod the handle is connected to. Does the light go off if you push the handle in as far as it will go?

 

It does not.

 

Give me a minute to look at my wiring diagram...

 

Since you've pretty much shown the actual brakes are free, there are 2 common possibilities ...........

#1 Sticking switch. Clean and lubricate with electronics cleaner.

#2 Sticking float in master cylinder. Even though you filled it, doesn't mean the float isn't jammed up.

 

I will look into those in the daylight. I might swing by the transportation classrooms at school today and see what they have to say. If they're not in class or something. Psh, learning, am I right?

 

The diagram I have doesn't show the master cylinder float or switch, unfortunately. If the master has a float there will be a wiring plug in the side of the reservoir. My 96 doesn't have one. The switch under the dash may be loose or bad.

 

Well, the thing is 2 decades old, so it could be bad. I just have a hard time believing it finally failed the 2nd time I pulled the parking brake lever. Although stranger coincidences have happened. Thanks for the input!

 

Do you know if your truck has ABS? I doubt it, but if it does you may have other problems.

 

Playing in the snow the other day has confirmed that I do not have ABS.

 

I'm betting loose or bad switch, then.

 

Several updates!

The handle is not contacting the switch to shut the light off. There's a little springy bit that compresses and pops out of the way, but the piece about 3/16" in diameter that's bent at 90 degrees is nowhere close to closing the switch. When I pull the handle out out I get about 16 clicks. At which point the parking brake still does not engage. Yep, I have no parking brake. Interesting... but at least it means I'm not dragging.

 

Well, that's good...and sucks. At least you know you don't have a brake problem, except that the parking brake isn't working. Now you have to figure out why.

 

Yeah... If the cable was disconnected I would think I wouldn't feel any resistance pulling the handle out. I had a friend operate the handle and couldn't see any cable movement at the rear. So for now I'm gonna live with the dummy light until I can get some warm garage space with a floor jack. Thanks everyone for the quick & informational replies, it's been a nice experience so far here on TW.