Q&A

Thanks. I'll look at it.

Yes it is the same light for hand brake etc but it is aManual car. I'll check the rear bulbs, as I have not actually done that- Thinking it was more serious a problem. Regards,

With the hand brake off, start the car when that light comes on, pull hand brake up while watching the red light, does it get brighter?
try it a few times. If so it is most likely low fluid indicator problem. Be sure fluid is FULL.
That is one guess! Does the light only come on when car is moving as you stated when start to drive?

You have ruled out the bulbs , assuming there is no debris in parking brake switch causing it to mess up , then you are back to fluid level switch or internal leak in master cylinder (we are all guessing that the brake pedal does not sink and is at the same height as before problem started , I think). Look for coins dropped down in the E-brake handle area- I had a civic recently that had the brake light coming on intermittently and found a quarter dropped down by the switch. When the car moved it would let the coin shift and connect the switch contacts.

thanks for this. I will really cheak to see if master cylinder is leaking but the fluid level is tip top. I will see if i can fiddle with the brake light sensor- (on top of the fluid resevoir?)
Thanks, otherwise car in perfext order.

May be an INTERNAL leak , in that case the fluid level would not necessarily change. Pedal may sink.

Thanks for your time. I must be getting old! It was a faulty bulb! I thought it was something more serious! Why didn't Toyota put another bulb shaped warning-not in red- on the dashboard.
Thanks to all. A really great and very helpful website. Toyota response was, take it to one of our many ..... Etc. we have the necessary equipment to find any fault......at a charge of £500+!??

Take care.