e-brake light problem?

supfoo514 · 07-06-2006, 02:12 AM

The emergency brake light on my car comes on sometimes while I'm driving. It usually happens on cold starts. I am positive I didn't leave the brake up. It usually just turns on for a few seconds and then turns off and then will turn on a couple more times after that. I was just wondering what could be causing this and is there an easy way to fix it. Thanks.

damdog05 · 07-06-2006, 02:23 AM

check your master cylinder. there is a sensor in the resevoir that holds the brake fluid. if that sensor is uncovered the light will come on. if its low, just fill it up.

mrnickleye · 07-06-2006, 06:23 AM

Something you all need to understand.

Brake fluid does not evaporate away. The fluid in the master cyl goes down as your brake pads wear out. The calipers retain more fluid.

So don't just fill up the master cylinder. Check the brakes.

How do you think Toyota (and all the other companies) determine (engineer) just how much fluid goes down before the light comes on?? Astrology???

No. They determined that the light will come on when one or more pads have worn out to the point of needing replacement.

Also.....There is a reason for everything in the car, and how it works. They would not waste the $$$.

supfoo514 · 07-06-2006, 06:12 PM

so would getting new brake pads take care of the problem?

theWeezL · 07-06-2006, 08:56 PM

only if they need replacing.

what 'nickel is saying is that if your fluid is low, AND its not leaking from somewhere, it COULD indicate that your pads and/or rotors are worn out. So he is suggesting you check your pads before just adding in more fluid and calling it good. The reservoir is fairly small on our cars, so it doesnt take much to make the light start coming on.

If you end up replacing the pads, your gonna be returning some fluid to the reservoir when you "open up" the calipers to fit over the new pads. So long as you dont have to bleed your brakes, it should return the fluid level to full.

Isphius · 07-06-2006, 11:11 PM

Yes, the e-brake light is also attached to the regular brakes, lol. Mine has done this before, And my fluid resovoir was fine, I just needed to wiggle the ebrake some. But i think if its coming on and going off, You probably do have low brake fluid. Check it out!

mrnickleye · 07-07-2006, 12:41 AM

When doing brake work, make sure its done correctly.

We have a saying down at work, and I tell it to some customers.

"Your car can run great, or it can run bad, but if it don't stop when you need it to, all that won't matter".

I just said it to a lady today, because her back brakes did not even work.

Isphius · 07-07-2006, 01:07 AM

lol. Thats some good advice. I just talked my girlfriends mom into taking her car to a shop instead of me doing her brakes, by saying "If i do it wrong, your pretty much just gona die" and she was like hmm...good point. Lol. Even tho im pretty sure i could do it right...every car ive owned seemed to need brakes when i got it...so i have some experience. Even tho im 19, Ive still owned 5 cars. Haha. But yes brakes, Do not go cheap, And take your time. Even if you have a hack car, You want your brakes to work for sure.

supfoo514 · 07-07-2006, 02:16 AM

okay thanks for the advice...I'll give the fluid level a check and check out my pads as well

07-06-2006, 02:12 AM	#1
supfoo514 Intake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 41	e-brake light problem? The emergency brake light on my car comes on sometimes while I'm driving. It usually happens on cold starts. I am positive I didn't leave the brake up. It usually just turns on for a few seconds and then turns off and then will turn on a couple more times after that. I was just wondering what could be causing this and is there an easy way to fix it. Thanks. __________________ 91 Turbo Automatic MKIII a.k.a "Sammie"

07-06-2006, 02:23 AM	#2
damdog05 12psi boost Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 250	check your master cylinder. there is a sensor in the resevoir that holds the brake fluid. if that sensor is uncovered the light will come on. if its low, just fill it up. __________________ My cars: 85 Trans Am- Ehhh- Gone 83 Rx7- Much Better- Gone 86.5 Supra- Love- Not Gone

07-06-2006, 06:23 AM	#3
mrnickleye 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mojave Desert, Calif. Posts: 1,705	Important Insruction Something you all need to understand. Brake fluid does not evaporate away. The fluid in the master cyl goes down as your brake pads wear out. The calipers retain more fluid. So don't just fill up the master cylinder. Check the brakes. How do you think Toyota (and all the other companies) determine (engineer) just how much fluid goes down before the light comes on?? Astrology??? No. They determined that the light will come on when one or more pads have worn out to the point of needing replacement. Also.....There is a reason for everything in the car, and how it works. They would not waste the $$$. __________________ Had a Red 1989 N/A. Automatic. Sports Pkg. w/wing. TEMS, and some nice MODS. Sold to a friend 10/08/08.

07-06-2006, 06:12 PM	#4
supfoo514 Intake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 41	so would getting new brake pads take care of the problem? __________________ 91 Turbo Automatic MKIII a.k.a "Sammie"

07-06-2006, 08:56 PM	#5
theWeezL 12psi boost Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 376	only if they need replacing. what 'nickel is saying is that if your fluid is low, AND its not leaking from somewhere, it COULD indicate that your pads and/or rotors are worn out. So he is suggesting you check your pads before just adding in more fluid and calling it good. The reservoir is fairly small on our cars, so it doesnt take much to make the light start coming on. If you end up replacing the pads, your gonna be returning some fluid to the reservoir when you "open up" the calipers to fit over the new pads. So long as you dont have to bleed your brakes, it should return the fluid level to full. __________________ *____________* *Eagles may soar, but weezl's never get sucked into jet engines!*

07-06-2006, 11:11 PM	#6
Isphius 500whp yet? Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Long branch, NJ Posts: 1,006	Yes, the e-brake light is also attached to the regular brakes, lol. Mine has done this before, And my fluid resovoir was fine, I just needed to wiggle the ebrake some. But i think if its coming on and going off, You probably do have low brake fluid. Check it out! __________________ Yay the supra assistant is gone!!! WEEE!!

07-07-2006, 12:41 AM	#7
mrnickleye 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mojave Desert, Calif. Posts: 1,705	When doing brake work, make sure its done correctly. We have a saying down at work, and I tell it to some customers. "Your car can run great, or it can run bad, but if it don't stop when you need it to, all that won't matter". I just said it to a lady today, because her back brakes did not even work. __________________ Had a Red 1989 N/A. Automatic. Sports Pkg. w/wing. TEMS, and some nice MODS. Sold to a friend 10/08/08.

07-07-2006, 01:07 AM	#8
Isphius 500whp yet? Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Long branch, NJ Posts: 1,006	lol. Thats some good advice. I just talked my girlfriends mom into taking her car to a shop instead of me doing her brakes, by saying "If i do it wrong, your pretty much just gona die" and she was like hmm...good point. Lol. Even tho im pretty sure i could do it right...every car ive owned seemed to need brakes when i got it...so i have some experience. Even tho im 19, Ive still owned 5 cars. Haha. But yes brakes, Do not go cheap, And take your time. Even if you have a hack car, You want your brakes to work for sure. __________________ Yay the supra assistant is gone!!! WEEE!!

07-07-2006, 02:16 AM	#9
supfoo514 Intake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 41	okay thanks for the advice...I'll give the fluid level a check and check out my pads as well __________________ 91 Turbo Automatic MKIII a.k.a "Sammie"

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