94 Camry brake warning light

[carey313]

Hi All,
I have a red brake warning light on the dash. I've read the other forums with similar problem. The brake fluid was about where I'd expect with the amount of ware on my pads, but I topped it off anyway. I'll bleed it off when I change the pads.

I've tried driving it and pressing the parking brake, hoping it would un-stick the switch like it did for others. Didn't clear my light.

Can anyone tell me where the parking brake switch is located? I can't find it under the dash by the peddle. I'd like to try bypassing the switch to see if that is the problem.

Is there any other sensors that could cause the warning light to come on?

I have not removed the wheels and checked the pads yet, they were fine at the last tire rotation less than 5k miles back. I'll probably take it in for an early tire rotation just to get a closer look next week, I love free tire rotations when they let me slip into the garage and peek at things like the brake pads..

Thanks for all the help.

[toyomoho]

There are two lights for brakes, one for brake fluid/parking brake and the other for tail/brake light being out.

If you have the handle type emergency brake the switch would be at the base of the emergency brake handle. You would need remove the cover to access this.

If you have the foot type, look under the dash in the upper area of where the brake system attaches to the frame. The movement of the arm when pushed down releases the switch.

[carey313]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

There are two lights for brakes, one for brake fluid/parking brake and the other for tail/brake light being out.

If you have the foot type, look under the dash in the upper area of where the brake system attaches to the frame. The movement of the arm when pushed down releases the switch.

Thanks for the reply.

Not sure I totally understand what you mean by "releases" the switch.,. If it means that the switch opens when the brake it released, then disconnecting the wire from the switch would turn the light off. However I suspect that the switch closes when the brake is released and grounds the circuit.

Do you have a schematic? Does the switch close or open when the brake is released? Is it tied to Ground when closed?

I do see a green wire up near the top of the brake, with a connector on it, not connected to anything. Couldn't feel anything to plug it into and didn't see any other wires in that area. Probably vibrated loose. I'll try to find where it plugs in and let you know if that fixes the problem. If that is the wire and the circuit works like I suspect it does, I could ground the wire to see if that fixes it until I can replace the switch.,.

Sorry it I sound like a dope, but I'm an electrical technician, wearing a mechanics hat whenever I have to. I can read the schematic and follow the logic of the circuits like it's a map of my backyard, but we use terms about switches a little different.

[hevster1]

Schematics are available here: www.techinfo.toyota.com
The switch is normally open. When you depress the pedal the switch closes. Several possibles here. Bad switch at the pedal, float in master bad, pedal not returning completely due to stretched cables, bad spring etc. Short in wiring, bad alternator.
Unplug the float and see if the light goes out. If still on unplug the switch at the pedal. If no change check the alternator.

[carey313]

Thanks, the alternator is one I didn't think to check. I have a multimeter and should check it anyway.

Thanks for the link and the switch descriptions. That will be useful.

I used the parking brake to slow the car a few times today on the way to work. Guess it just needed the rust knocked off the parking brake drum. Not sure what fixed it, but the light wasn't on this evening when I drove home and I could use the cruse control again. =)

Thanks for all the replies.