3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
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Hi there! Last winter, my wife's '98 Camry started giving us the BRAKE light from time to time. I checked the brakes and did some "farmer testing" on the ABS and can't find a problem. Usually the light would come on soon after starting, and would go off after a while. I assumed that it had to do with the cold temperatures, perhaps a sticky parking brake switch, but since the weather has improved, the light has not. Now it comes and goes from time to time regardless of how long the car has been running. I have checked the parking brake assembly and the fluid level, and I cannot feel anything unusual in the brakes when driving. What items on the car can trigger the BRAKE light? What else should I check?
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1990 Toyota Pickup, 2wd, 4-spd, reg. cab (sold!)
1998 Toyota Camry, 4cyl auto
1971 Toyota Hilux, 4cyl, 4spd, 4wd, 4 tires...
If you checked the brake fluid level and you're not under the minimum line it's possibly a bad sensor, or just a glitchy parking brake switch. do you have a hand brake?
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1992 Camry SE V6. Retired in Summer of '06.
1996 Camry LE I4. Sony HU (not for long), Alpine 6x9, Pioneer 6.5's, Reverse Glow Gauges. RETIRED.
2000 Solara SE V6. No mods.
Yes, I do have a hand brake (is there any other kind on Camrys? I've always been partial to foot brakes and column shifters ). The fluid level is between Minimum and Maximum, which seems like that should be just right.
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1990 Toyota Pickup, 2wd, 4-spd, reg. cab (sold!)
1998 Toyota Camry, 4cyl auto
1971 Toyota Hilux, 4cyl, 4spd, 4wd, 4 tires...
symptoms of a bad speed sensor...or speed sensor cicuit.
if you get a Haynes manual...chapter 9-3 will show you how to pull the codes, takes 2 minutes to pull an Brake problem code...plus how to reset the ABS/Brake ECU in 8 seconds.
$16 Haynes manual is the best investment. otherwise toyota can pull the code for $70.
My brake light came on last december. What was causing it to come on was that I was leaking brake fluid like crazy. Replaced the hoses and refillied the brake fluid and it's all normal again.
Other than that the only thing I know is that you might want to take apart your center console and check the brake switch with the hand brake. I would suggest searching the forums how to do so and the specifics of what to check.
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1992 Camry SE V6. Retired in Summer of '06.
1996 Camry LE I4. Sony HU (not for long), Alpine 6x9, Pioneer 6.5's, Reverse Glow Gauges. RETIRED.
2000 Solara SE V6. No mods.
It seems he is taking about the big BRAKE light that has to do with the E-brake, therefore if it comes on when the brake isn't engaged it has a faulty sensor.
When my '98 did this it was low on brake fluid due to pad wear on the rear brakes. Check your rear pads. My brake light came one shortly before they were going to need to be replaced. Hence the need for fluid.
"The fluid level is between Minimum and Maximum, which seems like that should be just right."
Fill it up to the max line and then take it for a ride. The light can come on as the fluid sloshes around inside the reservoir. The sensor in there can be pretty sensitive. After the light is out, do as someone has sugested and check all the front brake pads and rear brake shoes for wear.
I topped off the fluid this afternoon- it didn't take very much but the light hasn't come back on. I did hear a new chicka-chicka-chicka noise from the left front though, and when I pulled the wheel to investigate, I found that the front pads are about due. I am hoping that the sound is just the pads telling me that they are done and not the wheel bearing. CV boots are still tight and dry.
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1990 Toyota Pickup, 2wd, 4-spd, reg. cab (sold!)
1998 Toyota Camry, 4cyl auto
1971 Toyota Hilux, 4cyl, 4spd, 4wd, 4 tires...
I would check your rotors as well (see if you can resurface them) AND replace the pads at the same time. Then see the noice continues. Mostly, the light comes in for lower brake fluid, when your going over hillss/vallerys or corners the fluid gets thrown around too. Hence the sensor reads this as low fluid. But your chicka-chicka-chicka noice worries me, I think its isolated to the rotors and not the brake fluid!
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). The fluid level is between Minimum and Maximum, which seems like that should be just right.
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