Prado 120 - Brake Master Cylinder

[88mph Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 88mph]

Just dropped the 120 into Toyota for a 20k service as it's due and the shift lock has been playing up (plus the ABS lights on the dash coming up).

Get the call a few hours later that it needs a new Brake Master Cylinder @ $3150 fitted.

There are no issues with the brakes whatsoever when driving so I challenged the diagnosis. Apparently the ABS isn't activating which is linked to this cylinder - so they need to replace the whole unit.

Also a number of the brake globes were blown when they inspected the vehicle - seems really odd to me.

Surely I'm getting screwed here? Has anyone else had this issue?

Cheers

[crabman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close crabman]

the only time I had trouble shifting gear and needing to use the shift lock and also at the same time my cruise control wouldn't go off when I touched the brakes it was my brake switch (under the brake pedal) just needed adjusting. This was done easily (almost 3 yrs ago) and have had no trouble since. Maybe a place to start?
I have also had a new master cylinder done this year and was no where near that price they quoted you.

[kevdebbi Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kevdebbi]

Hi 88mph, I have a similar problems at the moment, my ABS light has been on for a few weeks now but everything still seems fine. After troubleshooting it I found the problem to be the pressure sensor on the master cylinder, it had stopped working causing an error code on the computer and the abs to be disabled, the brake system still works fine. Did your mechanic check the error codes?

I took the car to Toyota on Monday and they diagnosed the same problem. Initially they said the whole master cylinder had to be replaced how ever after a bit of digging they did identify the sensor but said it had to come from Japan, around $510. I have ordered one from Amayama.com for about $400.

[Beach Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beach]

Sounds like you're being shafted (without lube) for a few light globes and maybe a sensor.

I would tell them to do the scheduled servicing only. They hate that as theres no profit. Then investigate the problem as per the advice of others.

I don't darken the door of Toyota stealerships. They have adopted the business model of all the others. Make stuff up and charge a fortune. Whatever you do, don't honour a warranty claim.

Did you say 20k service? That would have to be the lowest kilometer 120 I have ever heard of.

[[email protected] Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close [email protected]]

I had abs tcr off lights flashing occasionally for minutes or until next startup. Simes times I t would take two startups to clear. As I was getting the cv boots changed I said please check for error codes. They found multiple error code ac and said the same thing 3k master cyclinder abs unit.
I did mention it locked the gear stick requiring the gift lock until the lights went out but that didn't get through to the mechanic.
Read and researched which said to check the brake lights. Which seemed to work, or so I thought so.
The next day the abs lights stayed on permanently and the shift lock button had to be pressed. Now I could see the brake lights were not working.
112$ brake pedal switch fitted. All seems to be ok now.
Thanks prado point and forums.