FixVault

Problem Symptoms Table

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Toyota 4Runner. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Use the table below to help you find the cause of the problem. The numbers indicate the likelihood of the cause of the problem. Check each part in order. If necessary, replace these parts.

PROBLEM SYMPTOMS TABLE - BRAKE SYSTEM

Symptom Suspect Area
Low pedal or spongy pedal
  1. Fluid leaks for brake system
  2. Air in brake system
  3. Piston seals (Worn or damaged)
  4. Brake master cylinder (Faulty)
Brake drag
  1. Brake pedal free play (Minimum)
  2. Parking brake pedal travel (Out of adjustment)
  3. Parking brake wire (Sticking)
  4. Parking brake (Shoe clearance out of adjustment)
  5. Pad (Cracked or distorted)
  6. Piston (Stuck)
  7. Piston (Frozen)
  8. Tension or return spring (Faulty)
  9. Brake master cylinder (Faulty)
Brake pull
  1. Piston (Stuck)
  2. Pad (Cracked or distorted)
  3. Piston (Frozen)
  4. Disc (Scored)
  5. Pad (Cracked or distorted)
  6. Brake master cylinder (Faulty)
Hard pedal but brake inefficient
  1. Fluid leaks for brake system
  2. Air in brake system
  3. Pad (Worn)
  4. Pad (Cracked or distorted)
  5. Pad (Oily)
  6. Pad (Glazed)
  7. Disc (Scored)
  8. Brake master cylinder (Faulty)
Noise from brakes
  1. Pad (Cracked or distorted)
  2. Installation bolt (Loose)
  3. Disc (Scored)
  4. Pad support plate (Loose)
  5. Sliding pin (Worn)
  6. Pad (Dirty)
  7. Pad (Glazed)
  8. Tension or return spring (Faulty)
  9. Anti-squeal shim (Damaged)
  10. Shoe hold-down spring (Damaged)
Brake warning light lights up(1) (Parking brake pedal released)
  1. Brake fluid level
  2. Brake master cylinder power supply system (Faulty)
Brake warning light lights up and skid control buzzer sounds(2) Brake master cylinder power supply system (Faulty)
ABS warning light lights up(3)
  1. Anti-lock brake system (Faulty)
  2. Brake master cylinder power supply system (Faulty)
(1) *1 , *3 : The light may stay on for about 60 seconds after the engine starts. It is normal if it goes off after a while.

(2) *2 , *3 : Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the warning light and buzzer. It is normal if the light goes off and the buzzer stops sounding after a few seconds.

(3) While ABS warning light is ON, both VSC warning light and VSC OFF indicator light come on.