Hand Brake Light on dashboard

Kev
I have had exactly the same thing happen recently when things got cool (i.e sub 10deg!) up here. I have a Triton also (prev model to yours). Can only put it down to possible condenation in brake fluid res. Problem goes away when things warm up (ambient temp, not car). I'm going to flush Brake fluid - not been done for about 3yrs. How old is your brake fluid? Replacing this may fix it?

cheers
Mark

Toyotas will do this when the brake fluid level gets down a little. Top it up and see if it goes away.

Hi Kev,
sometimes the vinal cover around the lever can cause the lever to sit up a smidge even when you think it is down. After a couple of kays it wiggles itself out of the way. My 78 series was bad for this.
Regards
Dave

As you haven't stated the make of vehicle that you're experiencing the problem with it's a little difficult to be very specific. I have experienced problems with handbrake switches (very often identical to the type found on doors that activate the interior light - nothing very sophisticated about them) the return spring can break or become dislodged, the spring and or slide mechanism can become clogged with fluff and or crud, the switch may require lubrication, the switch may have become loose on its mounting and be shorting out against a metal component (giving you a false reading) or because it is loose, simply not disengaging correctly. A bit of maintenance may be all that's required.

Tried replacing the switch, wiring ???

Sounds very much like you got an electrical problem in the switch, or the wiring from the switch, to me..
I could be wrong.

Even go as far as to say that a bit of electrical contact cleaner may do the trick

Cheers Mate
Bucky

It could also be condensation or water that has got into the sensor on the brake fluid reseviour, perhaps remove it and spray some CRC or similar in the sensor and replace.

Jeff I think the problem is with the handbrake light not the brake operation light.

Kev-first thing I would probably do is jack it up one morning and see if the handbrake is actually dragging. At least you will know if any damage or wear is being caused by dragging brakes.

Kev
Ow ya goin'
Maybe you could do what I did yesterday to fix the Timing Belt replace warning light in my Troopy , it wouldn't go off when I pressed the little switch in the dash , been on for 1700 klm so I pulled the dash out, and snipped the bugger out , found the remains of the switch rattleing about within,

Doug

Don't repair it Kev, it might be the only light available when you next visit your home state. 20 Minutes would be ample time to have a good look at all there is to see up there!! LOL

A bit of CRC on the switch mechanism under the lever seemed to do the job on our other work Triton. Like any plunger type switches found in most vehicles especially 4bys, they need a bit of lubrication after a few years. Particularly if you let Mitsubishi "service" them....

Bloody thing it didn't do it this morning, I'll still change the brake fluid and lube the switch up anyway.

Thanks everyone for the ideas.

Cheers Kev