In-cab brake light
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
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From: Claremore
In-cab brake light
Have any of you ever experienced your "E"-brake light coming on in the cab when you apply the brakes? Or the "Anti-lock" light come on? I thought at first it was just a short, but it's been doing it for about a month now. The anti-lock light comes on only every now and then, but the E-brake light comes on pretty much everytime I apply the brakes. So, any suggestions?
STan
STan
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2004
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Either coming on when you apply the brakes implies there is a problem with the brake system. If the "brake" light comes on, there is probably a loss of pressure in the system that is causing the shuttle valve in the proportioning block to slide one way or the other, and turning the light on. I would inspect the brake system as soon as possible before you lose half of your brakes.
Fortunately the way Ford designs the brake system if you do lose pressure on one wheel, the aforementioned shuttle valve, which is normally balanced by equal brake pressure on each side of the brake sytem, will move towards the side that has lost pressure, effectively cutting it out. However, this does prevent you from losing fluid out of the master cylinder and allows you to have some braking power left.
Fortunately the way Ford designs the brake system if you do lose pressure on one wheel, the aforementioned shuttle valve, which is normally balanced by equal brake pressure on each side of the brake sytem, will move towards the side that has lost pressure, effectively cutting it out. However, this does prevent you from losing fluid out of the master cylinder and allows you to have some braking power left.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2004
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Okay, after looking in my shop manual, I made a discovery. Unlike on other Fords, Rangers don't have a proportioning valve or the shuttle valve I alluded to earlier. It appears the rear brake proportioning is controlled in the master cylinder or rear ABS control.
So, the brake warning lamp in Rangers can come on for one of a few reasons:
1) Fluid level is low, or the switch in the master cylinder is broken.
2) Sticking parking brake switch
3) Problem with the rear ABS "prove out" light on the dash.
So that should give a place to start checking.
Bart
So, the brake warning lamp in Rangers can come on for one of a few reasons:
1) Fluid level is low, or the switch in the master cylinder is broken.
2) Sticking parking brake switch
3) Problem with the rear ABS "prove out" light on the dash.
So that should give a place to start checking.
Bart
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Mine was doing this when I let the front brake pads get too thin. It will cause the resevoir to go low on fluid and sets off the sensors. I would replace all the pads, bleed them, and make sure you have enough fluid before I looked at anything else. Besides, I always feel better with a new pair of shoes. 
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
I had this problem about 3 1/2 years ago. I found that a good flush of the brake system took care of the problem. I suspect that some debris from wearing brake components was doing something with the RABS valve. Never a problem since.
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Postmaster
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From: Claremore
Okay, great, I appreciate it everybody. Maybe I'll go ahead and do a flush, and some pads on the front.
Ken, I actually pulled the codes already, and it only came up with bad o2 sensors (hehe... been bad for a few years, although strangely, not bad enough to make the truck run bad, but it does seem to act a little different during the winter... only seem to get around 22mpg and the check engine light comes on alot).
Thanks everybody.
STan
Ken, I actually pulled the codes already, and it only came up with bad o2 sensors (hehe... been bad for a few years, although strangely, not bad enough to make the truck run bad, but it does seem to act a little different during the winter... only seem to get around 22mpg and the check engine light comes on alot).
Thanks everybody.
STan
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
Um, the RABS codes are independant of the engine management codes. Said another way, pulling engine management codes will not produce any codes associated with the RABS. You need to specifically pull RABS codes.
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Postmaster
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From: Claremore
Originally Posted by CowboyBilly9Mile
Um, the RABS codes are independant of the engine management codes. Said another way, pulling engine management codes will not produce any codes associated with the RABS. You need to specifically pull RABS codes.
STan
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!