Tell us if this is you, you take your truck in for a service, wash, etc and everything is seemingly good. You drive away and after awhile you hear a brake squeak after a few miles. Maybe a little dragging feeling, or some indication of not feeling right. For some reason you look at the E-brake and realize the idiot who serviced your truck engaged the foot lever and didn’t release it when he left it. Then dummy me, of course it’s something I rarely use.

Has anyone come up with a light like many newer vehicles have letting you know the E-brake is engaged?

 

There should be a Parking Brake light in your dash panel, either the bulb is burned out or the sensor switch is bad.

 

If there’s one there that I haven’t seen after owning three different Excursion’s, all 2001 Limited w/ 7.3L, I’m gonna feel pretty dumb.

Can someone show me a picture of what the lite looks like and where a switch might be?

 

Yes, it's there, mine seldom comes on, because I need to clean the ground tab at the Ebrake pedal assy.

The E Brake light is self checked when you key on, no engine running, or when starting? I never pay attention.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nmlvyrFQDXg

Wrong year, I know. Just trying to help. Feel like I have to apologize ahead of time these days.

 

My oops, I get confused with working on our Expedition at times.
According to the Owner's Manuals for 2001 and 2002 there is no light.
The manual reads;
"Parking brake ON warning chime
Sounds when the parking brake is set, the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 5 Km (3 mph)."
I don't know if it works that way on ours, I rarely use the parking brake, only to lock the wheels when working on it.

 

Ok this partially agrees with my experience, after three 2001 Excursions, there is no light. Also, I’ve driven far faster than 3 mph with that thing engaged, no warning chime.

There has to be a way to install a warning of some sort. It’s wearing my rear brakes. I can’t be the only one this happens to. Simple safety device in my opinion.

 

It's not wearing your service brakes, only the parking brake shoes inside the rotor. One of the reasons it's so easy to drive away with the parking brake engaged is because they are nearly useless. Even so, the key to not doing that is to use it routinely, so your routine is to disengage it.

Mark

 

There was only one instrument cluster for the 7.3 used on all 7.3 vehicles. You and I have the same year and engine.

Pics are with key on and brake pedal depressed, & key on and initial systems check.

 

Our 2002 has the same display.
I should read the owner's manual more thoroughly, the "Brake" light is a dual purpose light - system check and parking brake set.
I rarely use the parking brake and and never paid that much attention to it.
The manual states:
"Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned to the ON position to indicate a system check. Also illuminates if the parking brake is
engaged. If the brake warning lamp does not illuminate at these times, seek service immediately. Illumination after releasing the parking brake
indicates low brake fluid level and the brake system should be inspected immediately."

The switch is right above the pedal bumper which has a single wire so it is probably a circuit grounding wire.
When the parking brake is not set the switch pin is depressed and the circuit is open.
My switch is really flaky so when I work it with my finger the light will flicker on sometimes when the switch is closed-parking brake set.
Sprayed the switch with some WD40 and it is a lot better, but doesn't always turn the light on.
Replacement switches are available - Ford F2UZ15A851A, Standard DS-3398, WVE 1S3606

 

The first thing I did when I bought my X was to remove the cluster, and replace all the bulbs, there were many darkened bulbs, and a couple burned out ones. Yes, my switch is flaky too, I need to remove it, and get a little sanding cloth in the contacts, then some DeOxit.

 

I confirmed that I do have the brake light in the dash and it does illuminate during startup, but no matter how many times I engage/disengage the E-brake lever, no light. Can someone show me where that silly little switch is, maybe a picture?

 

See the YouTube link in post #5 above...

 

this is perfect! I’m not gonna monkey with trying to bandage it. I’d prefer to replace.
thanks!

 

New switch installed, problem fixed! lol

Thanks everyone for your help...