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Brake warning light question

I have a question for the group. We have a 2001 Camry LE 4-cylinder automatic, and the brake warning light on the instrument panel is coming on intermittently. I pulled the wheels, and the linings, disks, drums, and stop lights appear to be fine. There is no evidence of a fluid leak, and the master cylinder is full of fluid. I removed the console cover and found no problems with the switch on the parking brake lever. As a test, I unplugged the wire connected to the master cylinder, and the light did not come on. After I reconnected the wire, the light started coming on again. The problem is intermittent however. Sometimes it will come on when the brakes are applied, but then it will go back out a few seconds later. I don't think the car has ABS, and the brake function appears to be normal.

I don't want to start replacing expensive components, but I don't want to loose my brakes unexpectedly. Has anyone seen a problem like this before, or does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for your help.

Allen G.

Reply to
Allen G.
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Not certain about this model, but many cars have 2 rubber buckets in the master cylinder. When the first fails the warning light comes on due to loss of pressure at the first piston and the second bucket (or piston seal) does the work. The brakes still work but the master cylinder is on the way out. It's usually the first brake part to go apart from shoes. But 5 years is a bit early, I guess my '91 is still on the original.

Reply to
jg

Sounds like a bad brake fluid pressure sensor. I don't know about the location on this Camry, but generally they screw into the master cylinder, and that's what the wire connects to. It may also be integral with the master cylinder...

Reply to
mj

"mjc13 13 @verizon.net>"

Reply to
jg

There is a float switch built into the reservoir. The electrical connector is on the side of it where you disconnected it. If the switch is bad then you just have to get a replacement reservoir (not the master cylinder).

I've never tried it (or need to), but if you can gain access to the float then you can check the electrical continuity at the external connector as you move the float up and down.

Allen G. wrote:

Reply to
johngdole

Reply to
Padre

This could be an indication that your brake pads are wearing out and more fluid is needed to keep them touching the rotors, thereby reducing the amount of fluid in the reservoir enough to trigger the warning light.

Reply to
Father Guido

Yep, this also worked for me. I brought the level up from the low line to the high line (very little fluid), but the brake light never came on once today. I'm crossing my fingers it stays off.

Thanks!!!

Reply to
Father Guido

If it was right at the low line, then the float sensor was doing its job. If it was above it, it could maybe use a small adjustment.

Reply to
mj

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