F4Phantom replied:

I found some professional training in the following courses helped significantly when I had this problem.

"hand brake and gear stick - whats the difference?"
"brake pads - why 4 are better than 2 when stopping"
"its unneccessary to slow down while gear changing"

Bilbo replied:

Brian,

I sounds like your handbrake warning light switch is VERY close to being in the "ON" position and the occasional jerk of a gearchnge is causing it to illuminate.

You should find the switch underneath the plastic "leather look" cover that encases the handbrake lever. Just back the switch off by adjusting the locknut and give the switch some extra "free play".

My Ford Mav used to do it with the handbrake light, which was fixed as above. My current Chevissan had the same prob with the cruise control - "on-off-on-off-on". I just backed the switch off on the clutch pedal and problem solved.

Bilbo

Notso replied:

Yeah well it is a toyota, and they do have some funny little idiosyncrasies.

Lights turning of when you turn left with your indicators on springs to mind along with everything turning off at random??

Was a fleet manager and got lots of funny ones but not that specific issue but most likely an earthing problem or similar.

Middle Jeff replied:

Hi Brian

Check your fluid level, one light does all including vacuum.

Have fun

Craig

The Rambler( W.A.) replied:

Brian ,
Ithink you will find that Craig is right as Ihad a similar problem and found that if the brake fluid level is low the handbrake light will flash as the fluid moves in the reservoir.Top up and all is well.

wrexed03 replied:

This issue had me boggled with a Hyundai that my dad drives. I thought the handbrake switch has to be. Nah it wasnt the switch. It was the bloody coins he dropped in between the handbrake lever and the console. Every time he would accelerate or brake the light would come on. The coins were sliding between the contacts on the switch lol. Just had to dismantle console remove coins re assemble all good... :)

Willem replied:

My Handbrake lights up when I drive too quickly over rough terrain....lol

Cheers

Member - Andrew (QLD) replied:

Hi Brian,

Call into work and tell them one of your family members is sick......red spots appearing for no apparent reason.....have a day off to fix it :-)

Andrew

Member - Tour Boy replied:

Hi Brian,
it is probably just the fluid, if it was low check the front pads, as they wear, the fluid drops to keep the pads on the disc.
I have had 2 70's that did that but it was the boot arount the handbrake causing the lever to not quite hit the switch. So if the fluid doesn't fix it , try removing the vinal boot and see if it fixes it.
Regards
Tour Boy

Graham & Lynne replied:

make sure reservoir is push all way up & fill to full line