Parking break light ALWAYS on

[MrChamp421]

is there a reason why my parking break dash light is always on? It happens when the break is disengaged. When it is engaged, it works as I would expect it to. Is that an indicator of time to replace the differential fluids? Could it be that the cable is loose? Is it something I need to worry about? (I’m already worried about it - I have a 2000 Tacoma that has become a permanent fixture in my RV parking due to the rear end being busted (it’s too cold and wet for me to crawl under and diag right now), but it had the parking break light on for a little bit too before it took a sh!t on me. Any thoughts or opinions? Please and thank you.

 

[leveeguy]

Check your brake fluid level.

Unsure if you have to pump brake pedal 40 times with engine off to properly check the level for your 99 LC.

Refer to cap on brake reservoir or your owners manual for proper procedure

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Thread 'Dash "brake" Light on'

Nov 6, 2025

Fluid reservoir is filled
Pads and rotors and all four corners are new (this was happening before replacement)
Emergency brake switch has been cleaned and operation verified

Any ideas on why the red brake light on the dash intermittently comes on and off?

• 71FJ40
• Replies: 4
• Forum: 100-Series Cruisers

 

[x8o8drifter]

is there a reason why my parking break dash light is always on? It happens when the break is disengaged. When it is engaged, it works as I would expect it to. Is that an indicator of time to replace the differential fluids? Could it be that the cable is loose? Is it something I need to worry about? (I’m already worried about it - I have a 2000 Tacoma that has become a permanent fixture in my RV parking due to the rear end being busted (it’s too cold and wet for me to crawl under and diag right now), but it had the parking break light on for a little bit too before it took a sh!t on me. Any thoughts or opinions? Please and thank you.

 

[MrChamp421]

View attachment 4063563

Haha! Yea, brakes, not breaks… my bad

 

[offoradjunkie]

Mine does the same, but I think I know what it is. A while back, I replaced brakes in all four corners, but as I was disassembling the driver side left, I got my rotor stuck, and in the process of removing it, I bent a small pin (4744750010) 'pin, shoe hold down spring'. Looks like this.
I believe this is the root cause of my issue, but similar to you its about 20 degrees and very icy here in MT, so I don't really feel like tackling this at the moment, and I do not think the brake is actually engaged.
But I ordered the part, and the next weekend it's sunny, I will replace it and let you know if this solves it.