Notices
1997 - 2003 F150 1997-2003 F150, 1997-1999 F250LD, 7700 & 2004 F150 Heritage
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Auxito

brake light

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 7, 2012 | 02:24 PM
  #1  
bashby's Avatar
bashby
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
brake light

98 F150. Failed inspection for the dash brake light not coming on when you turn the key on. It comes on with the park brake set. Should it come on with key on as a bulb test?
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2012 | 02:37 PM
  #2  
LucasMN's Avatar
LucasMN
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Central MN
My 02 does.

I kinda wish MN had inspections. Would keep a lot of "minorities" and their clunkers/unsafe vehicles off the road.
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2012 | 03:45 PM
  #3  
bashby's Avatar
bashby
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
My next obvious question, how do I fix this (non)problem?
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2012 | 05:20 PM
  #4  
blue2golf's Avatar
blue2golf
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Evansville IN
If the light comes on with the PKB engaged, that would be good enough for me. However, you are dealing with "The State" and they have a different set of rules. Given the thousands of F150s that pass your state inspection each year, prehaps it should be lighting up as required.

Ask the inspecting station if they've seen this type of failure before and what was done to remedy it. Maybe call your local Ford dealer too.

Worst case, new instrument cluster prehaps?
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2012 | 06:00 PM
  #5  
Lime1GT's Avatar
Lime1GT
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 31
From: Winnipeg
Originally Posted by bashby
Should it come on with key on as a bulb test?
According to my information on a 1998 F150; Brake warning light should only come on when ignition switch in Start position or ignition is on with parking brake applied or fluid level low. On diesel vehicles brake light should also come on when vacuum is low.
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2012 | 06:09 PM
  #6  
projectSHO89's Avatar
projectSHO89
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,760
Likes: 1,079
From: St Louis
The criteria for pass/fail should be readily available from the state agency responsible for the administration of the safety inspection program. For example, in Missouri, it is run by the highway patrol.


From looking at the schmematics:

On a 98 F150 with RABS-only, the red BRAKE light is supposed to come on in the START position but not the RUN position, as a bulb self test. If you have 4WABS, it should come on in both START and RUN.
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2012 | 07:55 PM
  #7  
bashby's Avatar
bashby
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
Originally Posted by projectSHO89
The criteria for pass/fail should be readily available from the state agency responsible for the administration of the safety inspection program. For example, in Missouri, it is run by the highway patrol.


From looking at the schmematics:

On a 98 F150 with RABS-only, the red BRAKE light is supposed to come on in the START position but not the RUN position, as a bulb self test. If you have 4WABS, it should come on in both START and RUN.
This truck has rear antilock only. I don't think it came on with the switch in crank either... I'll have to look into that.
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2012 | 08:37 PM
  #8  
Spotty's Avatar
Spotty
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 11
From: Minnesota
My 98 is RABS only, and I just went out and tested it....yep...no light in run, but pops on when in start position. I had a lot of problems with the brake light and RABS yellow light being on and off randomly. I read up on how to pull the anti-lock codes and it turned out a pin was rusted inside a connector on the RABS unit under the master cylinder. The rust on the whole unit was unreal. Got when at the bone yard for $20 bucks....just like new again...
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
oldbird1965
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
25
Jan 24, 2014 10:01 PM
labman1014
Excursion - King of SUVs
3
Nov 5, 2012 04:07 PM
Confederate Diesel
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
5
Jan 4, 2011 10:14 PM
battleriver
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Jul 23, 2006 02:29 PM
elstx
Electrical Systems/Wiring
8
Dec 28, 2003 05:28 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:53 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE