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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
Brakes Suddenly Out without Warning?

1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Brakes Suddenly Out without Warning?

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Old

Apr 7, 2017 | 03:10 PM

#1

76f350spercamprspeal

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Joined: Aug 2007

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From: St. Charles, Missouri.

Brakes Suddenly Out without Warning?

Went to drive my 95 to work in the beautiful weather. Stopped at the post office. Went to leave and Brake light and ABS light were on. ABS light goes on and off. Petal foes to floor with no pressure what so ever. Truck barely stops. Burnt smell and brake fluid is full. Is my master cylinder out? Is my brake proportioning valve out? Why would the ABS light be on as well...
Any help would be appreciated. Made it back home safely. Luckily wife wasn't with me.

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Old

Apr 7, 2017 | 03:15 PM

#2

madpogue

Lead Driver

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 8,476

Likes: 37

From: Madison, WI

Did you inspect the calipers, wheel cylinders and ALL hydraulic lines for a leak?

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Old

Apr 7, 2017 | 03:30 PM

#3

rla2005

Fleet Owner

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 20,786

Likes: 1,751

From: Kentucky

The Red Brake light means the reservoir is not full. The Yellow ABS light means the RABS control module senses a problem. You have to get the Red Brake light off before you can pull the brake codes.

Are you sure the reservoir is full?

For reference:

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Old

Apr 7, 2017 | 04:11 PM

#4

seagiant

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 371

Likes: 4

Hi,
Don't forget the MC could have an internal leak and you would still have fluid in the system.

This is a small Hydraulic System of course and ANY leak is BAD!

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Old

Apr 7, 2017 | 05:10 PM

#5

MoBill122

Papa Smurf

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 1,080

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From: Woodstock, GA

Club FTE Gold Member

If no leaks, I'd place my bet on a new Master cyclinder. Same thing happened to me... glad to have emergency brakes to stop with in traffic !

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Old

Apr 7, 2017 | 06:03 PM

#6

76f350spercamprspeal

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From: St. Charles, Missouri.

I'm positive it's full. I was thinking master cylinder as well.

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Old

Apr 7, 2017 | 07:53 PM

#7

seagiant

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 371

Likes: 4

Hi,
I don't know how old your MC is?

But if you want to test it, get the right size plugs to plug the brake line holes.

Top off the reservior.

Try the pedal.

If it firms up hard your MC is good.

If not and it sinks or is spongy it is bad!'

This lets you know where the problem is anyway!

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