Because your brake system is not working properly. You need to have your brake system checked out and repaired before you have to make an emergency stop and then they fail to brake as they should. ALWAYS DRIVE SAFELY
Check the brake fluid level, as on many vehicles the "emergency brake" (in the UK, Hand-brake) warning light also acts as a warning light for low brake-fluid.
Check the brake fluid level. If it is ok, take it to a garage that can diagnoise ABS problems.
If your vehicle has separate dash panel warning lights for brakes and emergency brakes, then the e-brake light being on while not engaged may indicate that the e-brake switch may be maladjusted or faulty. If the brake warning light is on, it may indicate a brake fluid leak, or in some cases, low brake fluid levels in the reservoir. If your vehicle has a shared warning light for e-brake and brake warning, all causes listed above could apply.
It is possible that a wheel speed sensor is bad. This will cause the anti lock braking to not read the wheel correctly which would be a brake problem that would cause a light.
While the Rav4 is turned off, pull the emergency brake up one click and then start it up. This will leave the running lights off and the emergency brake will not be engaged when it is pulled up only one click.
I had this same problem with my !995 Galant. It turned out to be the alternator.
Try pressing the emergency brake pedal one click to turn off Daytime running lights - Works in my 97
There is an electircal switch that 'senses' when the emergency brake lever is applied and lights a warning light on the dashboard to keep you from driving in this condition. This switch may be faulty or out of adjustment, causing the warning light on the dashboard to turn on.
Push your emergency brake pedel down just 1 or 2 clicks and they will stay off. Just ignore the brake warning light on the dash.
That warning light means a light bulb is out. Check all of your brake lights (including the brake light on the rear dash!)
Check the ground wire to the brake lights.
No, the license plate light is wired in with the rear tail lights, not the brake lights.