Brake failure Toyota Avensis

paulocon2 · 08-12-2013 6:39pm #1

Hi,

Have a 00 Avensis. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp came on Friday evening.

Was driving it today and felt the brakes start to fail. In addition to that, the brake light came on. Checked it around the drive at home and the brakes are gone completely.

I will check the brake fluid in the morning but doubt it is that given it was serviced in August and I haven't done big mileage since.

Anyone have any suggestions what it might be? I will have a local mechanic have a look but I'm thinking it might be something electrical so may not be worth spending any money on.

biko · 08-12-2013 6:45pm

Brakes failed? As in you couldn't stop? Scary stuff.
Sounds like fluid escaping if they won't respond and the pedal travels to the floor.

paulocon2 · 08-12-2013 6:52pm

biko wrote: »

Brakes failed? As in you couldn't stop? Scary stuff.
Sounds like fluid escaping if they won't respond and the pedal travels to the floor.

Was lucky in that I got a warning and had to 'pump' the brakes. Went completely soon after. Lucky in that I was just up the (country) road so got it back into the drive. Strange that the general malfunction light came on Friday, was thinking perhaps some electronic fault but maybe that senses the brake fluid level.

Avns1s · 08-12-2013 7:06pm

I would imagine that it was the low brake fluid light that came on.

Looks to me like you have a failed brake hose / pipe or seals that's causing you to lose your fluid as Biko has said. Shouldn't be a major problem or cost to fix.

paulocon2 · 08-12-2013 7:16pm

Avns1s wrote: »

I would imagine that it was the low brake fluid light that came on.

Looks to me like you have a failed brake hose / pipe or seals that's causing you to lose your fluid as Biko has said. Shouldn't be a major problem or cost to fix.

Excellent. Thanks for that. The light that came on initially was the Malfunction Indicator Light. Pic of it on the link below. Brake light only came on after I felt the brakes start to go..

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Motorkontrollleuchte.svg/100px-Motorkontrollleuchte.svg.png

Avns1s · 08-12-2013 7:20pm

Does the pedal go straight to the floor now?

paulocon2 · 08-12-2013 7:22pm

Avns1s wrote: »

Does the pedal go straight to the floor now?

Yep, goes all the way now.

Avns1s · 08-12-2013 7:24pm

OK. well, check the fluid in the morning but I'd be surprised if there's anything left in the reservoir, and take it from there.

paulocon2 · 08-12-2013 7:27pm

Avns1s wrote: »

OK. well, check the fluid in the morning but I'd be surprised if there's anything left in the reservoir, and take it from there.

Mechanic is 10 miles away. If reservoir is empty, would it be mad to fill it up and drive it down to him or would it be wise to get someone to call and have a look?

Avns1s · 08-12-2013 7:31pm

If the reservoir is empty, it seems you have a serious leak. If it's not, you have another equally serious problem. Either way, I wouldn't suggest you drive that car until you know what the problem is and have it resolved.

paulocon2 · 08-12-2013 7:34pm

Avns1s wrote: »

If the reservoir is empty, it seems you have a serious leak. If it's not, you have another equally serious problem. Either way, I wouldn't suggest you drive that car until you know what the problem is and have it resolved.

That's great, thanks very much for your help. I'll leave the car be and have someone look at it here. Hopefully it's nothing too serious/expensive. Was going to keep an eye out for a 2nd hand car in Jan in the hope there would be some value that time of year!

Edit: Mechanic sourced to come and have a look at it. Thanks again for the help.

Brake failure Toyota Avensis

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