Disappearing Brake Fluid

Hi,

1st time poster here. Glad to be part of the group!!

Was in a minor fender bender on this past Friday. No one hurt, my 2001 Taco got the worst of it. 2.4 liter king cab. Hit at the left front wheel at the fender.

Drive able, but know going through a TON of brake fluid, although no visible leak. When I say no visible leak, I've crawled underneath, looked for stains on the driveway, etc. Additionally, the brake light stays on inside the truck, despite having plenty of brake fluid-even though I'm having to add it constantly.

Any thoughts???

 

I bet the brake booster is swimming in fluid.

 

Welcome aboard new member
Booster or rear wheel cylinders

 

First off to help you out, it's not a king cab - this isn't a rancher's truck. It's called a double cab. You'll find a lot more search results if you use "double cab" or "DCSB" (double cab, short bed).

Also, I'm pretty sure that the 4 cylinder you have is the 2.7 liter, 4 cylinder.

 

That's what I was wondering...did they even make double cab 5 lugs? I don't think so but maybe I'm wrong...thought double cabs were either Prerunner or 4x4 which would be the 2.7l

 

Thanks. Maybe I should have said "extended cab". I DO NOT have 4 doors (crew cab is what I would call it) with a short bed. Extended cab with the jump seats behind the main driver and passenger seats. Regular sized bed. FWIW.

 

The brake warning light can be on because of the parking brake or low fluid. Maybe your parking brake isn't fully disengaged. I know that people have occasionally had a problem with the switch by the parking brake shaft not being adjusted properly. Maybe your switch got jostled loose during the accident.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/5-lug-double-cab-and-proud.305290/

At least in 2nd gen.

 

I think you may have heard of the second with moi’, just now.. Ran to post office and exhaust started pouring out bluish smoke. I’m parking it until I hear from the adjuster.

 

Its burning the brake fluid.

 

Did you hit the brake pedal particularly hard during the accident, or did the impact cause you to press it harder than usual? That extra movement may have stressed the diaphragm inside the booster more than usual and caused it to tear, but it might have been ready to break anyway.