Why won't my Toyota Cressida start, or why does the brake light on the dash stay on?

Short answer: If your Cressida won't crank and you hear relays buzzing, test the battery and clean the cable ends and the main power connection. On one 1988 car it was simply a dead battery. Then get the charging system tested. If the brake warning light stays on, check the brake fluid. Low fluid means worn pads or a leak, so have the brakes inspected.

Symptom: You turn the key and get nothing or clicking, maybe with a buzzing relay. Or the red brake warning light on the dash stays lit with the parking brake off.

What to check first

1. Have the battery and charging system tested (parts stores often do this free).
2. Clean the battery posts and cable ends, plus the main power connection.
3. Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir.
4. Inspect the brake pads and look for leaks at each wheel.
5. Make sure the parking brake is fully released.

Likely causes

1. Dying battery. On a 1988 Cressida, the battery itself had failed. A weak battery can still run the lights and radio but not the starter.
2. Corroded battery cables or power connections. Members said low voltage makes relays buzz, and to clean every cable end and the main power connection under the hood.
3. Low brake fluid from worn pads or a leak. Fluid drops as the brakes wear, and a leak drops it faster. Either can turn on the brake warning light.

What it usually costs

No owner posted prices in these threads.

Is it safe to keep driving?

A brake warning light can mean low brake fluid or a leak. Check it before driving and don't ignore it. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

DIY-friendly. Batteries, cleaning connections and checking fluid are home jobs.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: NHTSA's recall lookup returned no recalls for the 1985-1992 Toyota Cressida on 2026-10-28 (8 model-year queries returned no data). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of this recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: We found no recall for these problems. Treat them as normal repairs.
• NHTSA complaints: 8 keyword-matched complaints for Toyota Cressida 1985–1992 (of 41 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-28; keywords: start, battery, brake, warning, light) (NHTSA returned no data for 8 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In 1988 Toyota Cressida - Won't Start...Again! on Car Talk, a 1988 Cressida left its owner stranded in a parking lot. It wouldn't crank, and a buzzing was heard with the ignition off. Members said low voltage makes relays buzz. They suggested testing the battery and charging system, then cleaning the battery posts, cable ends and the main power connection. It turned out to be just the battery. The owner swapped in a new one, and members said to get the charging system load-tested next so the new battery stays charged.
• In Dashboard brake light stays on 1987 Cressida on Car Talk, a low-mile 1987 Cressida's brake warning light came on now and then, then stayed on, though the brakes felt normal. Members said to check the brake fluid level, explaining that it drops as the pads wear and that a leak at one wheel can disable half the brake system. They also suggested replacing old brake fluid, since it absorbs moisture.

Quick tip

Start with the battery. A five-minute test can save you from hunting electrical gremlins.

Vehicle focus: 1985–1992 Toyota Cressida (US).

Safety / mechanic note

Don't drive with the brake warning light on until the fluid and brakes are checked. Verify with a mechanic.