Was Solution Ever Found to the Issue of the Emergency Brake Light Randomly Coming On?

hihosilver · #1 (**permalink**) 09-30-2007, 02:03 PM

I searched and read through many posts where owners complained about the emergency brake light randomly lighting up on the dash ... but I didn't see any definitive/permanent solutions. This has been happening to me with my '04 Sequoia for a few months. On the 1st trip to the dealer, they topped off the brake fluid & that seemed to fix the problem, but the light started randomly coming on again a few weeks later. If I shut the car off & start it back up, the light goes off. As I said, I read that many other owners have reported the same problem ... just looking to see if anyone ever found a solution - especially while my Sequoia is still under warranty for 2 more months. Thank you!

michaelbusby · #2 (**permalink**) 09-30-2007, 05:43 PM

I have had the same problem with my 2003 Sequoia Limited 4x4. Dealer has replaced the ECU twice. Replaced master cyclinder float. Still not fixed. Regional Toyota Tech has isolated it to the ABS acctuator. We will see. Dealer has had truck for 2 weeks trying to trouble shoot. I will post an update once it is fixed.

hihosilver · #3 (**permalink**) 09-30-2007, 05:48 PM

Yes, please post an update when you know something. Thank you. Any other information would be greatly appreciated.

sarasota2k4 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 05:28 AM

I've been experiencing the same issue with my 2005 Sequoia. Seems to occur more often with drastic temperature changes (especially when it gets cooler). My solution has been to "exercise" the emergency brake once per week. If I fully engage brake and then release it at least once per week, the light never comes on. It's been six months and the light hasn't come on. We'll see how it works as our Florida weather gets cooler.

tngearhart · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 06:47 PM

Best thing to do is make sure the master brake cylinder is full of brake fluid. If it's low or the brake pads have worn down causing the fluid level to drop, a sensor will cause the parking brake light to come on. Keeping the cylinder full of fluid solves the problem.

Low temperatures will cause the fluid to contract in the sysem and give the same brake light error. Filling the cylinder solves the problem.

hihosilver · #6 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 08:51 PM

Last time I brought my Sequoia in with this, the dealership filled the brake fluid up slightly above the max line. A few months later now, the fluid level is still the same, but the brake indicator randomly lights up a time or two per month.

michaelbusby · #7 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 10:53 PM

To follow up my previous post, regarding the dash brake light issue. Dealer replaced the ABS actuator ($2800 for the part). This seems to have resolved the issue. Toyota Corporate inspected the vehicle, test drove it, and even took some pictures. Dealer has had vehicle three weeks now. Urgh.. I really hope this fixes the problem.... I will post an update in ~ a month.

hihosilver · #8 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 10:37 AM

Did they actually find anything wrong with the ABS actuator? Or is this just a hopeful guess on their part? Thanks for the updates.

michaelbusby · #9 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 11:12 PM

I asked the same question. I also asked if I ignored the brake light problem was it probable that the ABS actuator fail? Dealer said that the old ABS acutuator was operating properly. The failure codes pulled are C1223, C1247. That said, they still replaced the ABS actuator and the dash break light problem stopped.... Go figure. Something obvously was not working right with it. Time will tell.

michaelbusby · #10 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 07:26 PM

Help please. I am still having a recurring issue withe emergency brake light coming on. Previously, dealer pulled the following codes: C1223, c1247. Have tried all the easy suggestions like adjusting the brake fluid, replaced the master cycl. float. Also Replaced the ECU twice and the ABS accuator brain. I am concerned that this is may be a larger problem as the dealer has not been able to solve.

Any suggestions?

keano016 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 07:54 AM

so after replacing $2400 worth of a part, the ABS acutator, you are still having problems?

I ve had the car for 2 days and it has come on during both days. My unfounded thinking was that because brakes were replaced recently on my car, they were not worn in well.

michaelbusby · #12 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 06:32 PM

Problem is still unresolved after ~$4800 in parts which includes 2 ECU Translate computers the ABS actuator, float kit for master cyc., part kit for the emergency release switch and so on.... Toyota has picked up the cost of all this work so far and so far they have not been able to fix the damn thing....

plloyd35 · #13 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 11:03 PM

My sequoia has the same brake light problem, the light comes on at least once a week, The dealer cant find anything wrong.

michaelbusby · #14 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 11:29 PM

Likely its the skid control computer. There is a TSB for this issue. Search this bulletin. I will post additional details later. This is a known issue with this rig. Toyota put in close to $8K in new parts trying to figure this out. I would suggest taking it to the dealer when the light is on to see if its shooting any code.... Also ask them to check the TSB related to the brake light and or the ABS and VSC lights coming on....

michaelbusby · #15 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 11:32 AM

To follow up my previous posts, Toyota performed TSB BR006-06 to replace the skid contro computer and reprogram. Skid control part # 89541-0C062.

I have to hope now that this resolved the issue. Thankfully I purchased the extended warranty. To date, Toyota has installed approximately $8000.00 in new parts trying to resolve this.