Battery and Brake Light - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

91_toyotarocket · 07-04-2005, 07:03 PM

Hey,
I'm new to the forums here. I am from nebraska and i just got a 91 corolla that i want to trick out. However i want to get it in good condition first before i fiddle around with it. I have solved everything else but i can't get the brake and battery light to turn off. It will shut off however 20 mins into a drive and then be normal. Any ideas as to whats going on and how to fix it?
Thank guys i really appreciate it.

***REN69*** · 07-04-2005, 08:29 PM

Either A: Battery is dying or B: Alternator is dying. Get the battery tested for holding power first, usually Auto parts places and even Walmart will perform battery testing. My bet is the alternator though, its starting to die and that's why the light will only stay on for a little while and then go away. Eventually the light will stay on for good and then you'll probably get stranded somewhere, so take care if it while you can still drive the car. (it almost happened to me but I just made it home)

94_Rolla_Guy · 07-06-2005, 04:31 AM

brake light is most likely low fluid. if your fluid is low check your pads and shoes may be worn, toyota calibrates the light to come on when you need pads and or shoes, but it may not be properly calibrated. if nothings leaking then top it off, even better if the fluid looks like root beer, change it.

bob022004 · 07-06-2005, 10:58 AM

had the same problem. the contacts inside the alternator are worn out. mine got so bad the electricity was arcing across and burnt the contact holders. either do like i did and pull the alternator and pull it apart and go to your local alternator and starter rebuild shop and get new contacts or have them rebuild it or buy a new one. the rebuild done yourself....cost me 15 bones not including a new belt...the shop to rebuild it the estimate was about 90 bones....and a new alternator started at 130 (best price i found). to do the job yourself you'll need the haynes manual for our car...very helpful.

***REN69*** · 07-06-2005, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94_Rolla_Guy

brake light is most likely low fluid. if your fluid is low check your pads and shoes may be worn, toyota calibrates the light to come on when you need pads and or shoes, but it may not be properly calibrated. if nothings leaking then top it off, even better if the fluid looks like root beer, change it.

Yes.. brake light alone means low fluid... but battery and brake light together usually means... "stop and check your battery/alternator"

bob022004 · 07-06-2005, 11:30 AM

i had the exact same problem....brake fluid may need changed but ren is dead on with the alternator. i would rev mine and the lights would go out. then after driving for a little while the lights would stay out. eventually they didn't stay out. also watch your voltmeter...the voltage will be lower than usual and jump when you rev high.

foodaa · 07-06-2005, 11:55 AM

I had the same problem. If your alternator is an ACDelco, the regulator probably went bad. I got a NipponDenso alt from a local junkyard for $7. Works great and Bat/Brake lights are out.

bob022004 · 07-06-2005, 02:21 PM

beat me out on the cheap fix!!! way to scrounge the junk yard. i'll have to pull those from the two in the yards in my area next time i'm out. if i can get them for that cheap then i can hook someone up in the forum here with 'em.

Limnos · 07-08-2005, 05:08 PM

I've had the battery + brake light thing twice on my cars in the past 18 years and it's always been a new alternator + voltage regulator. However, you said after 20 minutes into the drive the lights go out. I'm wondering if you have a loose alternator belt. I recall hearing that rubber, unlike metal, contracts when it gets warm. If you have a loose belt when cold then once it gets warm 20 minutes into the drive it could then be tightening up enough to get the alternator working properly again. Worth checking and cheapest solution so far!