BRAKE light problem - GS

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 23, 2001 | 01:42 PM

400DGRZ

Thread Starter

Lexus Champion

iTrader: (2)

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 2,936

Likes: 14

From: ALABAMA

BRAKE light problem - GS

Since the winter cold front has moved in, everyday when I leave in my GS, the red BRAKE (parking brake) light comes on in the dash when I press the actual brakes for the car. When I accelerate, it goes away, and then the process repeates itself. I notice throughout the day as the car warms up a bit it doesn't do it as much. Has anyone experienced this? Is it just the cold or is there a problem with my brakes? I have noticed the past week a light sqeeking sound coming from the left front wheel when rolling slow??? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Dec 23, 2001 | 04:47 PM

///MDex

Lexus Champion

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 3,861

Likes: 4

From: North Carolina

Sounds like your Parking Brake (Rears I think) aren't coming quite detached; like they are being frozen on when you apply the parking brake begore exiting the vehicle. I'd say engage / disengage the parking several times consecutively to give it a good working.

Don't know for sure, but brakes is something I would take to the dealer immediately.

GL and keep us posted.

Dec 23, 2001 | 05:53 PM

fasthuh

Lead Lap

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 402

Likes: 0

From: California

the fix, i think...

Hey,

Check this out, I had the same problem on my Tacoma, all you have to do is add some brake fluid and the problem should go away. My brake fluid tank was showing half full so I didn't think it was a problem, but I had just replaced the brakes about 3 months prior (I wasn't gonna re-do the brakes). So I just added some fluid and BAMM! problem fixed.

Hope that works for you.

allen

Dec 23, 2001 | 06:10 PM

///MDex

Lexus Champion

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 3,861

Likes: 4

From: North Carolina

Re: the fix, i think...

Quote:

Originally posted by fasthuh
Hey,

Check this out, I had the same problem on my Tacoma, all you have to do is add some brake fluid and the problem should go away. My brake fluid tank was showing half full so I didn't think it was a problem, but I had just replaced the brakes about 3 months prior (I wasn't gonna re-do the brakes). So I just added some fluid and BAMM! problem fixed.

Hope that works for you.

allen

No offense guy, but I wouldn't just go adding fluids in a trial & error type mentality. You can't just take some out if you mess up.

Brake fluid is like the other critical fluids where they don't follow the theory of 'a little is good, so a little more must be better' - they have a range they are to be maintained within.

Also notice that it may be temperature or weather realted....

Just my .02

Last edited by ///MDex; Dec 23, 2001 at 06:15 PM.

Dec 23, 2001 | 06:49 PM

fasthuh

Lead Lap

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 402

Likes: 0

From: California

Dexter,

Point well taken, but from reading his post, I had exactly the same symptoms (Brake lights coming on and off from acceleration). I also thought that the emergency brake line need adjustment, but that checked out fine for me. I was just giving him my personal suggestion.

About the slight squeeky noise, possibly the brake sensor, I think that part would require brake replacement, but I can't say cause I can not see the pads, you can try cleaning it off with a brake cleaner.

good luck
allen

Dec 23, 2001 | 07:15 PM

bitkahuna

CL Community Team

iTrader: (20)

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 80,659

Likes: 3,925

Couple of long shots...

Maybe related, but we should all USE the park brake from time to time, but I expect most of us never do. I engage mine once in a while because I understand it helps calibrate it and make sure it doesn't get stuck. So 400 - you might try just engaging and unengaging the park brake a few times.

Also, I've noticed that even the slightest 'knock' of the park brake pedal on my car will make the park brake light come on when I start the car. I've often had to pull the brake release even though there's no resistance when I do so indicating the brake wasn't really engaged at all. Perhaps doing the above might help this too...

Dec 23, 2001 | 07:23 PM

hellasboy

Lexus Test Driver

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 1,130

Likes: 1

From: \

That red brake light is indicating your brake fluid is running low. A reason for why it's low is because your brake pads are wearing thin (which would explain the squeaking sound you hear).

I had the same thing happen with my SC (but brakes weren't squeaking) and I put in a little brake fuid and the light went away. It looks like your due for new brake pads.