How To Bleed Toyota ABS Brakes

As a Toyota owner, you cherish the smoothness and reliability of your vehicle’s performance. However, if you’ve ever experienced a spongy brake pedal, you know how it can make your heart skip a beat and compromise your confidence on the road.

To bleed Toyota ABS brakes, gather tools and materials. Create a homemade tool with a bottle and fuel line. Park on a level surface. Begin with the farthest wheel, attach the tool, loosen the bleeder screw, and have a helper press the brake pedal. Repeat for each wheel, maintaining the order. Test pedal firmness.

I have experienced the same problem. Finally, I found an easy way to successfully bleed ABS brakes at home. In this article, I will explain how I bled the ABS brakes on my Toyota.

Most Common Causes of ABS Problems

Here are the most common causes and solutions for the ABS problems at Toyota.

Cause	Description	Solution
Failed Speed Sensor	The speed sensor may be damaged or have wiring issues.	Inspect the speed sensor for corrosion, damage, or loose wiring. Ensure the electrical connection point is free of moisture. Dry it if necessary.
Damaged Magnetic Ring or Rotor	The magnetic ring inside the wheel hub assembly may be brittle or missing pieces, causing inaccurate readings. The rotor may be warped or loose.	Inspect the magnetic ring for damage and replace if it necessary. Verify that the rotor is secure and not warped.
Faulty ABS Fuse	ABS fuse may be loose, blown, or corroded.	Check the ABS fuse and ensure they are properly inserted, not blown, and free of corrosion. Replace any faulty fuses.
Malfunctioning ABS Control Module	The ABS control module, responsible for communication and system monitoring, may be defective.	If all other causes have been addressed, consider replacing the control module if necessary.

How did I Bled Toyota ABS Brakes?

I had a Toyota Corolla. As I had some problems with ABS, I repaired my car with a mechanic. After a few days, I noticed that the brake pedal of my car was spongy and felt like going to the floor. Through deep research, I was able to find the reason for this: air in the anti-lock braking system.

As the previous ABS repair cost me a lot of money, I decided not to go to the mechanic. So, this is how I bleed Toyota ABS brakes by myself. Here I will explain it step by step for you to understand it easily.

Step 1: Gather the Necessary Tools

Tools needed:

• Wrench
• Clear plastic bottle
• 3/16ths fuel line
• Zip tie
• Clean DOT 3 brake fluid (Get brake fluid as recommended by your manufacturer)
• You need another person for a small help

Step 2: Prepare the Homemade Bleeding Tool

By drilling two holes in the cap of a plastic bottle. I inserted a 3/16th fuel line through one hole and secured it with a zip tie.

Step 3: Park the Vehicle in a Flat Area

I parked the vehicle on a level surface and turned off the engine.

Step 4: Locate the HCU

I located the ABS hydraulic control unit, which was situated near the master cylinder.

Step 5: Attach the Homemade Tool

I started the bleeding process by beginning with the wheel farthest from the master cylinder (the passenger rear wheel). I attached the fuel line from the homemade tool to the bleeder screw on the caliper or wheel cylinder, ensuring a tight seal.

Step 6: Lose the Bleeder Screw

Then, I loosened the bleeder screw with a wrench, turning it approximately a quarter of a turn. I was careful not to open it too much to prevent fluid leakage.

Step 7: Press the Brake Pedal

I had my friend sit in the driver’s seat and instructed him to press and hold the brake pedal firmly.

Step 8: Monitor the fluid for Air Bubbles

I opened the bleeder screw slightly, allowing brake fluid to flow into the clear plastic bottle. Then I monitored the fluid for air bubbles. My friend maintained pressure on the brake pedal until no air bubbles were visible in the fuel line.

Step 9: Close the Bleeder

I closed the bleeder screw tightly to prevent air from entering. The helper released the brake pedal slowly.

Step 10: Repeat the Process

I repeated the bleeding process for each wheel in the following order: driver’s rear, passenger front, and driver’s front. It was crucial to maintain this order for proper bleeding. I regularly checked the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir and topped it up as needed to prevent it from running too low and introducing air into the system.

Step 11: Remove the Bleeding Tool

After bleeding all the wheels, I removed the homemade bleeding tool carefully, ensuring no brake fluid spilled. I disposed of the used brake fluid properly according to local regulations.

Step 12: Make Sure All Screws are Tight

I verified that all bleeder screws were tightly secured and there were no signs of fluid leakage.

Finally, I tested the brake pedal’s firmness and responsiveness. The brake pedal was fine, and my effort was successful.

Note: If the pedal felt spongy or the brakes did not engage properly, you have to repeat the bleeding process to ensure all air has been removed from the system.

How To Turn Off ABS Light Toyota?

After bleeding all four brakes, I needed to reset the ABS light as it came on due to air in the brake system.

This is how I turn off the ABS light on my Toyota.

First, I located the OBD2 onboard diagnostics port under the dashboard.

I identified pins 13 and 4 on the port. (Pin 4 is the top fourth one (ground), and pin 13 is an auxiliary port)

Using a jumper wire, I connected pins 13 and 4 on the port.

Then, I turned the key to the “On” position (without starting the car).

Within five seconds, I quickly pressed the brake pedal eight times.

Finally, I removed the jumper wire.

The ABS light was successfully reset.

Note: Please keep in mind that if the ABS light continues to stay on after the reset, it might indicate an underlying issue with the ABS that requires further inspection or professional diagnosis.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs):

Does ABS need to be bled on Toyota?

Unless air entered the system, possibly through a damaged or empty master cylinder, or if you’ve replaced a component of the ABS, a normal bleed doesn’t produce a firm pedal, or you want to flush any old fluid out of the system, the ABS portion of the system usually doesn’t need to be bled.

What happens if you don’t fix ABS?

The brake pedal may progressively stop functioning if an automobile’s ABS begins to malfunction. As a result, you will eventually need to apply more force to the brake pedal to stop your car. Eventually, you won’t be able to safely stop your automobile by depressing the brake pedal, which means your ABS is no longer functional.

What happens if you pump the ABS brakes of a Toyota?

The system can be turned on and off by pumping the brakes. Better steering control is made possible with ABS, which automatically pumps the brakes at a much faster rate for you. As a result, there is no need for you to apply the brake.

Why are my brakes so spongy after bleeding?

A mushy brake lever or one that needs to be pulled far before the brake begins to act are obvious signs that there is air trapped in the brake system. It can be more difficult to bleed some brakes than others. Air can still be trapped inside the caliper even after numerous bleeds.

Conclusion

I hope you understood how to bleed ABS brakes and how to turn off the ABS light on Toyota. Have a nice day!