Any way to brighten up the parking brake warning light?

oneprblmcat · #1 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008, 03:23 PM

Dumb@$$ me has driven at freeway speeds four times now with my parking brake applied because I didn't notice when the warning light is on. I have to exit my truck and swipe my badge at a security gate when I leave work. I must be applying my parking brake there out of habit and then not releasing it. The light just isn't bright enough on a sunny day with my sunglasses on. I've driven between 20 and 40 miles at 65mph+ with my brake on and won't notice until I feel something off with the truck. Yes, I'll be pulling my rear drums to take a look at how much damage I've done. But I was wondering if anyone knows for sure if a brighter bulb can be used for that warning light before I got tearing into my dash. I know some here have used LEDs in various places on their trucks but I've never messed with those and don't know how much brighter they'd be.

OR....I thought maybe I could wire in a buzzer for the warning light but then it'd be on when I'm just parked and idling. I would need it to be on only will in drive.

Seems like I'm always "dumby proofing" equipment at work and now I have to do the same for myself.

Thanks

Burger Steak & Eggs · #2 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008, 03:27 PM

Somebody drove a manual transmission before the Tundra.

I would go with the buzzer / audible alarm. There is no guarantee you will still see a brighter bulb on sunny days for example. Also you will not always be watching the dash, but you can always hear while watching the road.

oneprblmcat · #3 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008, 03:50 PM

Thanks for the input. Actually, I think it's because this truck has enough power to overcome the parking brake unlike everything else I've had. If I left my brake on in any other vehicle I could really tell. And I'm usually commuting on my bike anyway. Driving the truck is like a luxury for me.

So, any suggestions on wiring up a buzzer so it's only active when the truck is in drive? Sometimes I'll leave my Heelers in the truck with it running and the air on. It'd drive 'em nuts to have to hear that buzzer for more than a few seconds.

I'm still leaning towards the light as I am pretty aware of my gauges and lights and it'd probably be less of a PITA.

L R H · #4 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008, 04:58 PM

If the parking brake switch is a single wire that grounds when P brake is applied, you could use the + signal from any of the following: reverse light if an in cab wire exists, same for dash PRND321 indicator lights if they operate at full voltage, and since you would step on brake pedal to move from park position, the normally cold side of the brake light switch at switch or kick panel trailer connections, shift lock solenoid etc, etc. A relay or some diodes may be needed, but some piezo tone generators are polarity directional and draw in the mAmp range. While a brake switch setup will only be heard for the short time it takes to shift from park to R or D; it will ned to be loud.

Big_Al1 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008, 05:04 PM

Sounds to me like someone should adjust their rear shoes on their Tundra if they are properly adjusted you will feel that the e-brake is on cause they grab pretty good on my truck.Have it checked out keep them adjusted and this shouldn't happen any more.Good luck.

vermacelli · #6 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008, 07:13 PM

You can just get an auxiliary led and mount it where its most visible to you. Just run a powered relay, and tap into the gauge cluster brake light for the remote signal. If that's not bright enough, wire up a Monster Tach shift light instead of an led.

oneprblmcat · #7 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008, 08:13 PM

Lol...maybe the real problem is with my eyes and not the light. I'll try adjusting the rears then since I have to take a look at them anyway. Thanks for all the input.

FLTundra06 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Al1

Sounds to me like someone should adjust their rear shoes on their Tundra if they are properly adjusted you will feel that the e-brake is on cause they grab pretty good on my truck.Have it checked out keep them adjusted and this shouldn't happen any more.Good luck.

Was thinking the same thing, if they are working anywhere close to how they should be you would know when you tried to go forward. As many times as you say you have hit higher speeds and not noticed sounds like they are not working anyway.

tempetom · #9 (**permalink**) 04-14-2008, 09:54 AM

I got out of the habit of using the parking brake and use it now when I park overnight. I keep forgetting it's on so I hang a steering wheel cover over the gearshift lever to remind myself it's on. I'd like an audible alarm also. I drove a couple miles twice with it engaged.