MG
Moderator
Also please consider supporting us if you would like us to be able to help other Toyota Owners. Thanks!
**** Toyota has issued a Recall on this concern. Please see this post...
If you have a 2018 and up Toyota Camry (Tacoma) then you may experience a Low Braking Power message on the instrument cluster. Here is an example of someone confused by what is happening with the vehicle. A simple understanding of this system would've helped in this situation.
The problem is that Toyota started using a vacuum pump on some of their engines in order to compensate for the low vacuum produced by the Dual (VVT) Variable Valve Timing system. These pumps are now considered to be a maintenance replacement item at 120,000 miles, just like spark plugs. This is how one works...
When they go bad and stop producing vacuum, you will see a message along with a very hard to stop vehicle. It will be very unsafe to drive.
To check for vacuum, remove this hose at the brake booster while the engine is running and you should feel suction being applied to your thumb...
They are not very hard to replace so I have provided a few pics so you can see what the job entails...
Here is a closer look at the area...
Removing the battery is necessary for more room to work...
There are 5 electrical connectors and 2 hoses that when removed, will help give you room to get the old pump out....
There are just three 8 mm bolts that hold the pump in place. They are the black in color with 2 on the upper left and 1 just slightly hidden on the lower right side..
Here is a picture of the new pump showing the 3 bolt hole locations..
Removal...
You will have to transfer over this piece....
Make sure that you clean off all the oil residue before installing the new pump...
Here is what the inside of the pump looked like...
This one was not rebuildable so the unit was replaced. There are rebuild kits available like these, that can be used. I have not tried one so I cannot give you any advice in this area....
**** Toyota has issued a Recall on this concern. Please see this post...
If you have a 2018 and up Toyota Camry (Tacoma) then you may experience a Low Braking Power message on the instrument cluster. Here is an example of someone confused by what is happening with the vehicle. A simple understanding of this system would've helped in this situation.
The problem is that Toyota started using a vacuum pump on some of their engines in order to compensate for the low vacuum produced by the Dual (VVT) Variable Valve Timing system. These pumps are now considered to be a maintenance replacement item at 120,000 miles, just like spark plugs. This is how one works...
When they go bad and stop producing vacuum, you will see a message along with a very hard to stop vehicle. It will be very unsafe to drive.
To check for vacuum, remove this hose at the brake booster while the engine is running and you should feel suction being applied to your thumb...
They are not very hard to replace so I have provided a few pics so you can see what the job entails...
Here is a closer look at the area...
Removing the battery is necessary for more room to work...
There are 5 electrical connectors and 2 hoses that when removed, will help give you room to get the old pump out....
There are just three 8 mm bolts that hold the pump in place. They are the black in color with 2 on the upper left and 1 just slightly hidden on the lower right side..
Here is a picture of the new pump showing the 3 bolt hole locations..
Removal...
You will have to transfer over this piece....
Make sure that you clean off all the oil residue before installing the new pump...
Here is what the inside of the pump looked like...
This one was not rebuildable so the unit was replaced. There are rebuild kits available like these, that can be used. I have not tried one so I cannot give you any advice in this area....
