Bleed brakes and now parking brake light stuck on? WTH?

I decided to go with some new rotors and calipers/pads up front. Went with the Z36 Power Stop kit. Didn't do the rears since they were done about a year ago from the previous owner. First, the issue. After bleeding all four brakes, using the Motul brake bleeder, the parking brake light is now stuck on. In the Haynes manual it does not state if the parking brake should be on or off during brake bleeding but it was on as I had the front elevated off the ground. The parking brake releases and it does not drag from what I can tell but strange that now the parking brake light is stuck on.

And by the way, although I bled the brakes and no air bubbles left, I find it strange that these new brakes really are not that much better than stock. I am running oversized tires with a 2.5" lift. 285/75R16 tires so a bit more rotational energy there to deal with but I find no significant difference in stopping power compared the the stock brakes. I wonder if there is a vacuum issue perhaps with the master cylinder as I feel the pedal is always a bit spongy.

Anyway, any tips on how or why the parking brake light is stuck on now? Do I need to do any readjustments? Thanks,

 

I'm no help, but I wonder - isn't the parking brake light a switch thing at the pedal/arm? Not a hydraulic thing that has to do with bleeding or fluid or anything like that?

 

How low did you let the fluid in the master cylinder get? There is a sensor built into the master cylinder that will cause your dash light to illuminate if the fluid level in there gets too low.

If your brake fluid level is okay, I would clean that sensor. First unplug it, then you can get a pair of needle nose pliers to carefully wiggle out the part circled in red below.

 

Maybe I'm wrong, and parking brake indicator light and brake light (you got a fluid level problem) are one in the same.

 

Interesting. So I did notice that the level did drop below that sensor while I was changing out the front calipers. Then once done, I filled the Motul bleeder with two bottles of brake fluid and proceeded to bleed from the far right wheel to the front driver (longest to shortest distance) and then when completed, topped off the reservor. It was almost full when I was done. Are you guys thinking that the level below that sensor may have kicked off the parking brake light? How would I extinguish it now then?

 

If I pull that switch out, won't it leak then?

 

If it does, it won't guzzle out and you'll be putting the sensor right back in anyways. I'd keep a rag handy and manage it the best you can. I remember the sensor is a little sensitive so if you do try pulling it out, don't use hulk hands.

May very possibly be the case. Something as simple as disconnecting the battery may reset the light.

 

Interesting point. I'll unplug and clean it and also disconnect the battery. I do have a OBDII reader so i'll see if maybe it set off a code or something. I can say though, that the Motul bleeder adaptor cap for Toyota has a cap with a chain that wraps around the master cylinder base and although I didn't unplug the switch, I did bump it a bit. But I can't imagine that caused an issue.

 

didja bleed the load sensing valve mounted above the rear axle? Unrelated to the parki g brake light, but always a good idea.

 

The lights are one and the same. So parking brake on (or adjusted too loose) and or low fluid level will cause the light to come on. Its the 'check engine light' for your brakes.

My guess is that the little fluid sensor is just old and got stuck in the 'on' position when the fluid level dropped.

 

Do you have ABS brakes? Also try bleeding LSPV.

 

ABS has its own light. I know because I disabled the ABS on my truck. The brake light doesn't care about if your bled or not. It literally only senses the fluid level in your reservoir, or if your parking brake is on...or acting like it is on (can happen if cable is too loose)