Brake Light Indicator always coming on. You too???? - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

Diamond Dog · #1 (**permalink**) 04-22-2005, 07:34 PM

My brake light indicator in the dash comes on every couple of months. When I take it to the dealer they always say I am low on brake fluid, yet they say there are no leaks.

They say these Sequoia's "Burn" a lot of brake fluid. Is this true?

Do you guys have to add brake fluid every other month or so???

mustang67408 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-22-2005, 07:44 PM

As the brakes wear the brake fluid will go down in the master cylinder. The light usually comes on when there is about 50-60% brake pad left, its there just to remind you to check the brakes.
Driving habits have alot to do with how fast some of the brakes wear, and how fast the light comes on.
If you add to much fluid when the light comes on, the next time you replace the brakes and squeeze the calipers back in, it makes a mess and spills brake fluid all over the place. You have to be careful when adding fluid. I usually top it off 1/2 the distance to the "MAX" line. That way the nexy time the light comes on, it usually needs brakes.
Never heard of "BURNING" brake fluid.

sequoiasoon · #3 (**permalink**) 04-22-2005, 07:53 PM

Low brake fluid is normally an indication of brakes getting low (or a leak). IF you had a leak it would definiitely be noticeable as you would have a VERY soft brake pedal that would go to the floor. You would also run out very quickly because everytime you touch the brakes fluid would squirt out.

Now there COULD be a potential leak in the plastic reservoir that might drip or weep fluid. This should be pretty obvious if you check around the master cylinder.

In regards to your dealer....FIND A NEW ONE....FAST.....they're idiots. Maybe have them put that in writing on your next bill then take it up with Toyota Corporate Customer relations. Let him explain in detail WHERE it might be burning since it is a sealed system (from reservoir down to brake cylinder/calipers)

I just did my brakes on my '03 Sequoia and the light never came on. I was DEFINITELY in the last couple thousand miles of pad life 1/8" max pad material left on each of my front pads.

KLS · #4 (**permalink**) 04-28-2005, 12:38 AM

It depends on how high the fluid level was filled to when the new pads were installed. The factory level seems to vary slightly from vehicle to vehicle. If just enough fluid was added to keep the alarm light off, then it'll soon come on when the pads begin to wear. If the reservoir was filled about to the max, the light may never come on due to pad wear.

Ken

Rlockyer · #5 (**permalink**) 04-28-2005, 01:23 AM

Whoever is telling you that Sequoias, or ANY vehicle is "burning" brake fluid, you should run, very far away. Perhaps notify their manager... if it's a Toyota dealer, go straight to Toyota.

That is pure, unadulterated BS.

You should never need to add fluid. The light comes on for a reason... to let you know that you are low on fluid, which is the effect of the pads wearing down.
When you put new pads on, the fluid level will come right back up.

If you've added fluid more than twice, your pads are most likely shot, and when you replace them, you will probably overflow the reservoir.

I have a 2003 Tundra with 111,000 miles on it. I've replaced the front pads twice and have not added a DROP of fluid.

doublebogey · #6 (**permalink**) 05-07-2005, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diamond Dog

My brake light indicator in the dash comes on every couple of months. When I take it to the dealer they always say I am low on brake fluid, yet they say there are no leaks.

They say these Sequoia's "Burn" a lot of brake fluid. Is this true?

Do you guys have to add brake fluid every other month or so???

I too have an '03 also that has the brake light indicator coming on every couple of months. My brake fluid level is fine. However, when I turn off the engine and restart it, the indicator light goes off. Haven't brought it to the dealer's attention yet.

MDS_03_Sequoia · #7 (**permalink**) 08-07-2006, 07:22 PM

I'm having this problem as well. About once or twice a week, for no apparent reason the e-brake light will come on. When I restart the engine the light goes out. I've done the prescribed actions to help identify the issue. Topped off the fluid, ensured the float was floating, and visually inspected the e-brake switch at the foot pedal... Nothing... Still get the light time to time. I have no perception of loss of stopping power. I did have the VSC computer replaced under warranty (all lights lit like Christmas.) Brake pads are within acceptable spec.. What's interesting is that it stays on until I restart. (After I restart and there is no light ) I mess with the float and the light turns on and off. Same as with the e-brake foot pedal switch. This leads me to believe the issue is something more serious. Does the event create an error code? What other faults will cause the light to indicate? How does the float actuate the switch (magnetic?)

judgedred · #8 (**permalink**) 01-08-2007, 01:01 AM

I have this problem only with 2003 Sequoia. I just had Anti-Skid computer replaced ($800) and I'm still getting the brakelight. They have replaced fluid, brakes etc (over the course of two years). I'm at a loss as to what to do next. I going to ask for refund of $800 and may unload this vehicle. I've owned 7 Toyotas (including 2 Lexus) and have had more trouble with this one than all the others combined.

Anybody got any ideas? The dealership and the "big cheese service man at the corporate office" doesn't.

Thanks.

mustang67408 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-08-2007, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by judgedred

I have this problem only with 2003 Sequoia. I just had Anti-Skid computer replaced ($800) and I'm still getting the brakelight. They have replaced fluid, brakes etc (over the course of two years). I'm at a loss as to what to do next. I going to ask for refund of $800 and may unload this vehicle. I've owned 7 Toyotas (including 2 Lexus) and have had more trouble with this one than all the others combined.

Anybody got any ideas? The dealership and the "big cheese service man at the corporate office" doesn't.

Thanks.

Is the brake master cylinder FLOAT- Floating or is it stuck down.

Pinched e-brake wire

Bad Brake light switch

There are 2 TSB's for an 03 sequoia
REPLACEMENT of the ABS SKID CONTROL ECU and
TRANSLATE ECU (rick kick panel).
Either of which will illuminate the brake light

4motheranne · #10 (**permalink**) 01-23-2007, 02:27 PM

I have the same problem. They have not mentioned about the brake fluid level being low, and no, I have not had to add any. They did replace the brakes, but that did not fix problem. Going in for the third time. I'll let you know what they say. Personally, I think there is some time of computer/electronic problem as I have had other problems with VCS/ABS light and engagement and rear window.

MouthfulOfGrass · #11 (**permalink**) 01-23-2007, 05:32 PM

I don't know if this is a "technical fix" to this issue or not. I've had the light come on before, and decided to try letting the emergency brake lever "snap" back quickly, instead of using my foot to bring it back to position. The light went off, and stopped coming back on. Don't know why this would have any effect, but it worked.