“Brake” light coming on
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 104
From: idaho
“Brake” light coming on
The last month or so my brake light on the dash has been coming on at a stop sign or if I pump the brakes about 5 to 10 times, check the vacuum on my truck versus my brothers and mine was under 20 at his was over 20. I replaced the vacuum pump last night, jump in the truck first thing this morning same thing. I’ve already checked all of my brake pads all the way around the truck and shoes. Everything looks good, I am running a NAPA master cylinder switch because mine had the factory switch when I bought this truck and I did not want my truck to burn down,
so I’m thinking it’s either the master cylinder itself or that auto parts store switch?
Anyone else have any experience with this?
so I’m thinking it’s either the master cylinder itself or that auto parts store switch?
Anyone else have any experience with this?
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 104
From: idaho
brake fluid is a little low. I’ll top it off. And yeah the e brake is released I’ll even smack it and it doesn’t change anything.
I thought to try master first but I didn’t.
I thought to try master first but I didn’t.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 104
From: idaho
thank you, I am just wondering if it is the parts store sensor because when I got the truck, it was still factory, so I changed that sensor in hopes that I would not have any issues until I could take it to the dealer, but I took it in for the recall they did not replace it with a Ford sensor because they said the sensor is fine. You just need the harness….
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 338
Likes: 112
From: Southern California
How does the truck brake? Is the brake pedal soft or hard or grab then slowly goes down to the floor?
I had the same light come on intermittently. I too replaced the vacuum pump as it is a symptom of low vacuum if fluid is at proper level. Brakes were not as they should be so went through the process of new pads, shoes plus hardware, booster and new master. Bled the system good, including the Rabs, and man what a difference! While bleeding the system I saw that the had accumulated air, likely had moisture in it since it is hydroscopic. Brake fluid does not last and should be changed with frequency every 3 years maybe.
Brake issues can be progressive and as they start failing slowly your awareness of it can be difficult as you are slowly getting used to it as it does. But once I did all the work listed above it is night and day difference! It is so much safer and I kick myself in the butt wondering how I ever let get to that point. Lots of the time you can tell a difference by just driving another vehicle with properly working brakes and feel the variance in the brake performance.
I had the same light come on intermittently. I too replaced the vacuum pump as it is a symptom of low vacuum if fluid is at proper level. Brakes were not as they should be so went through the process of new pads, shoes plus hardware, booster and new master. Bled the system good, including the Rabs, and man what a difference! While bleeding the system I saw that the had accumulated air, likely had moisture in it since it is hydroscopic. Brake fluid does not last and should be changed with frequency every 3 years maybe.
Brake issues can be progressive and as they start failing slowly your awareness of it can be difficult as you are slowly getting used to it as it does. But once I did all the work listed above it is night and day difference! It is so much safer and I kick myself in the butt wondering how I ever let get to that point. Lots of the time you can tell a difference by just driving another vehicle with properly working brakes and feel the variance in the brake performance.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 154
From: Kansas City KS
My brake light flickered randomly a day or two before the vacuum pump quit. I also had a vacuum leak that surely accelerated the problem.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 338
Likes: 112
From: Southern California
After I replaced many components I flushed/bled the system throughly. I found that the RABS bled more air bubbles than anywhere else for multiple press/hold sequences of the brake pedal. I went through almost a full 32oz can of fluid through this whole process of bleed/refilling the master. So much of my fluid was old, dark and air trapped. As you mentioned it could just be the sensor you purchased.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 104
From: idaho
as mentioned before, do you have issues with braking, beyond just the light illuminating?
After I replaced many components I flushed/bled the system throughly. I found that the RABS bled more air bubbles than anywhere else for multiple press/hold sequences of the brake pedal. I went through almost a full 32oz can of fluid through this whole process of bleed/refilling the master. So much of my fluid was old, dark and air trapped. As you mentioned it could just be the sensor you purchased.
After I replaced many components I flushed/bled the system throughly. I found that the RABS bled more air bubbles than anywhere else for multiple press/hold sequences of the brake pedal. I went through almost a full 32oz can of fluid through this whole process of bleed/refilling the master. So much of my fluid was old, dark and air trapped. As you mentioned it could just be the sensor you purchased.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 104
From: idaho
I had to remove this off of my HVAC box When I did my injectors, I tried to re-seal it with RTV because it cracked and a couple different spots when I was working on it and the gasket disintegrated. I had two vacuum leaks in these areas where the arrows are.
I’m pretty sure I fixed my issue. I had one small anyone really big vacuum leak around this accumulator or whatever you call it. I probably did not need to install the new vacuum pump but now I have one, the old vacuum pump on the truck was purging air though whatever the engine was running, you could hear it spitting so the new one does not do that.
I believe the issue was resolved, but I will keep you guys updated. If it’s not thank you for all your help. I’m also probably going to re-bleed my brakes system as y’all suggested at some point.