CEL & Parking Brake light not triggering

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May 25, 2021 | 07:50 AM

BigGasExcursion

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From: Central Virginia

CEL & Parking Brake light not triggering

Hi guys and gals, new to the forum here. I have a 2000 Ford excursion XLT V10 4WD with 191k miles.

My CEL & Parking Brake lights on the instrument cluster both light up for the bulb check when I turn the key to on, but other than that, neither of them illuminate when they should. I know from my scanner that I have check engine codes, but the light is never on when the engine is running. Not sure if it is related, but the parking brake light never comes on other than the initial bulb check.

Obviously, the bulbs must be fine, and I assume that this is not caused by a fuse. What else could it be?

Thanks for your help!

Last edited by BigGasExcursion; May 25, 2021 at 07:56 AM. Reason: Additional info

May 25, 2021 | 08:34 AM

WE3ZS

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From: Media PA

Welcome to the EX forum!

Are you sure that the codes the scanner is showing are "set" and not just pending? That could explain why the CEL isn't lighting. The Brake light could be the switch on the pedal assembly has gone bad or out of position, check there first.

May 25, 2021 | 09:32 AM

BigGasExcursion

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From: Central Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by WE3ZS

Welcome to the EX forum!

Thanks for the welcome. My scanner is showing "3 confirmed codes", "3 pending codes", and "0 permanent codes". From the user manual, confirmed codes should make the light go on and stay on until they are cleared. As opposed to the permanent code which will also make the light go on, but then clear itself once the issue is resolved...sounds like a mis-nomer to me lol.

I have not done any diagnostic on the brake light yet...more concerned about the CEL, but thought they may be related. Although, I suppose if I am able to fix the brake light, perhaps it would narrow the scope of the CEL issue.

May 25, 2021 | 11:08 AM

BWST

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From: Lake Stevens, WA

My parking brake switch was not making good contact - some good info in this thread on how to clean it up and get it working again:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-switch-2.html

Can you post the codes you are getting? There are several confirmed codes that will not light the CEL.

May 25, 2021 | 11:49 AM

BigGasExcursion

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From: Central Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWST

Thank you, I will work on the brake switch this weekend.

The confirmed codes were:
P0301 - Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
P0307 - Cylinder 7 Misfire Detected
P0309 - Cylinder 9 Misfire Detected

The pending codes were:
P0174 - System Too Lean Bank 2
P0302 - Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
P0304 - Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected

I have already addressed the misfire issues, but did not clear the codes and had no CEL before the tune-up either.

May 25, 2021 | 01:34 PM

BWST

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From: Lake Stevens, WA

Those codes will not typically trigger the CEL. I've read the misfire has to be intense enough (certain number in a row, or time period) before the CEL will come on. I'd say go ahead and clear the codes, and do a monthly or quarterly check for codes to keep an eye on things.

May 25, 2021 | 02:14 PM

projectSHO89

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From: St Louis

You likely have an Excursion with an OBD1 calibration. Many fault codes do not set the CEL per design. There are multiple threads here and in the Super Duty forum regarding this condition.