Brake system light stays on

[berg07]

Hi!

The brake system light (same as hand brake light, see picture in bottom of post) on the dashboard of my '91 Camry GLI 2.0 (manual gear) stays lit all the time while driving.

When I start the car the light is off, but as soon as I press the brake pedal once the light illuminates. The brake fluid level is ok and the brake pedal feels normal. The light is on despite the parking brake is not activated.

This problem emerged after I left it for a repair concering an other issue and had my registration plate lights changed at the same time. Ever since it's been the same, once I brake the light stays lit.

I've tried to mess around (and clean) with the contact to the rear brake lights without any results.

Any ideas on why the light stays on? What can I do to fix it?

Thank you.

[white90dx]

That is the warning light that one of your rear lights is out. I'm not 100% sure how the euro version of the box works, but it should be similar to the North American version...

There are a few possible causes:
* Bad bulb (just replace all the bulbs to be safe, it should be fairly cheap)
* Bad connection (sounds like you have already worked this one - also check the trunk hinge wiring and grounds)
* Bad sensor box (remove it and look inside for burned components or traces, its in the trunk behind the lining on the left side near the gas filler)

Good luck.

-Charlie

[Mike Gerber]

In addition to what white90dx suggested, also check for freyed or broken wires inside the trunk by the driver's side (assuming left hand drive) trunk hinge. Many times the wires inside there frey and break from all the flexing they exposed to over the years as the trunk is constantly opened and closed.

Mike

[berg07]

Thanks guys for the answers.

So you mean this light could indicate that one of my rear light is out?

I thought it only indicated that either the parking brake is on or the brake fluid reservoir is low?

I'll have to check the wiring more closely. Don't think any light is out, at least not last time I checked. Like I said earlier when I start the car without having the parking brake activated and without pressing the brake pedal, the light is off. As soon as I press the brake pedal the light stays on until I turn off the engine.

[Doctor J]

On newer European cars (2000+) it indicates the brake pad wear.

[L0co123]

The light indicates worn brakes. The car has sensors in the front and rear.
I would suggest changing both sides of the axle and this stage.

If you got drums in the rear, change the brakebands before they do damage

[white90dx]

The north american version of the rear brake warning light looks like a car with short red lines coming off the back. The Euro version might be different. The behavior you describe sounds like the rear brake warning light though. If a fault is sensed, it keeps the light on for the rest of the time the car is on.

If it was a fluid level thing, it would probably go back off when you removed your foot from the brakes (and you said that you already checked the level).

The turn signals, license plate lights and side marker lights shouldn't be part of the system, but you might as well check those out while you are back there.

-Charlie