Seized brakes and warning lamps.

[mrpj]

I de-salted the underside and washed my car last Saturday morning. In the past it has been used the following day but this time not until yesterday morning. I have found, in the past, that the rear (drum) brakes, I think, have been stuck on and driving results in a "crack" and the brakes immediate release.

However, not the case yesterday. Totally stuck which needed driving forwards and backwards numerous times to free them, any neighbours who might have witnessed this must have thought I'd lost it! Warning lights appeared - check engine, ABS and VSC and remained on. The green "eco" lamp wasn't working either, as it doesn't with VSC disabled or in M driving mode - it is working now.

With the brakes now freed I drove the car and the ABS light extinguished after a couple of miles. Can't remember what fault code was stored, should have noted it. I did clear the code, the VSC light disappeared and when the ignition was switched off and on the engine light had gone.

Non of the above have appeared again. This had to be related to the stuck brakes? Any suggestions other than drive the car immediately after a wash and maybe leave it parked, in P, with the handbrake off (flat driveway!)?

[stantheman1]

I fear you have answered your own question! It's what I would do in any case except I've only owned manuals.

[mrpj]

I'll certainly be more vigilant in future Steven! Without the means to check for faults, and/or clear them, that would probably have resulted in a visit to pay someone to check and clear them.

In park and handbrake off now, particularly after a car washing.

I posted more as a warning to others if they have a similar thing happen.

 

 

 

[YarisHybrid2016]

I had the same problem on mine. Took it to my local independent - they stripped down all the brakes, cleaned and re-greased and they're fine again.

I've started parking with the handbrake OFF which seems to help.

My brakes are generally "in very good condition" and discs/pads are "almost like new". Note it's a hybrid, so the brakes are hardly used. It's 2.5 years old, so for it to have gone this long without trouble is I think good.

[mrpj]

I washed the car yesterday morning and left it in P with the handbrake off. It was fine yesterday afternoon when leaving home. So that wil be the future routine and use the handbrake when they've dried out.

When the weather improves a bit, I intend to remove the drums to clean and lubricate everything. Does the hybrid have rear discs and does it have shoes for the handbrake incorporated in the discs?

[YarisHybrid2016]

Has rear discs; no drums.

Handbrake pulls the brake calipers.

[mrpj]

18 hours ago, YarisHybrid2016 said:

Has rear discs; no drums.

Handbrake pulls the brake calipers.

Thanks, as I suspected.

I'm probably an old school dinosaur who prefers a handbrake with shoes expanding onto a drum.

[YarisHybrid2016]

They seize adequately as it is. 

[Cyker]

I have a solution! You should all form a racing team and hold a racing meet the first weekend of every month!! \:D/

[mrpj]

17 hours ago, Cyker said:

I have a solution! You should all form a racing team and hold a racing meet the first weekend of every month!! \:D/

With seized handbrakes which would make it really interesting.