Parking brake light switch

Southpaw

New Member
Jun 8, 2009
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Kettering Ohio
For some time now my parking brake light has been coming on while driving. It also would randomnly turn off too, so I figured the problem was electrical. Now its been solid on for the past day so I got fed up and started looking for the switch. I found it easily, and it is in bad shape. I pushed it in and the light dimmed slightly, but didn't go out. After unscrewing the switch it pretty much fell apart. Could that broken switch be the only answer, or could the wiring be messed up further into the dash? Also, are all those switches the same for the mkiii's, or is mine specific to an 87?
 

rayall01

New Member
Oct 10, 2008
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Westfield, ma
Southpaw;1370513 said:
For some time now my parking brake light has been coming on while driving. It also would randomnly turn off too, so I figured the problem was electrical. Now its been solid on for the past day so I got fed up and started looking for the switch. I found it easily, and it is in bad shape. I pushed it in and the light dimmed slightly, but didn't go out. After unscrewing the switch it pretty much fell apart. Could that broken switch be the only answer, or could the wiring be messed up further into the dash? Also, are all those switches the same for the mkiii's, or is mine specific to an 87?

Toyota wiring is pretty solid, so I wouldn't expect the wiring to be bad. Replace the switch, and see what happens. According to the EPC, it's the same part # through 8/89. http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/EPC/291410/Parts/84550.aspx
 

Southpaw

New Member
Jun 8, 2009
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0
Kettering Ohio
So that light also trips if the brake fluid gets low? A fellow mkiii owner said all its for is the parking brake. The level is right at the minimum line, when I get home from work ill top it off and see what happens.
 

SupraRon

Supramania Contributor
Jan 2, 2008
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Canada
Southpaw;1371148 said:
So that light also trips if the brake fluid gets low? A fellow mkiii owner said all its for is the parking brake. The level is right at the minimum line, when I get home from work ill top it off and see what happens.

That's the only time it has come on for me aside from when the e-brake is up. Some other cars have this same function.
 

radiod

Supramania Contributor
Dec 13, 2007
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Abbotsford, BC
If your break fluid is that low, might want to check how much pad you have left. Typically you don't need to top up your brake fluid unless you have a leak...it's a sealed system. Some people may think it's normal, but no, you shouldn't have to top up sealed system fluids such as brake fluid and coolant :p.

As your brake pads wear down, the piston in your caliper is extended further out to still touch the rotor. That little bit of extension drops the fluid level in the resevoir, resevoir level gets low enough to trip the sensor, light goes on. Also, you'll find that your cruise control doesn't work while that light is on.