2003 Explorer Brake Warning Light Flashing
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2003 Explorer Brake Warning Light Flashing
Hi, I have a 2003 Explorer XLS 4WD with about 39K miles. Recently the brake warning light started to flash intermittently. This is very infrequent and when it does come on it goes off immediately. It could go for days without flashing on, but it does do it enough to wonder what is going on.
The first thing I thought of was that it might be time to replace the brake pads. I am still running the original brake pads, but they look good (approx. 3/16” or so of pad). The brake fluid is down from the MAX line to about the crease in the reservoir.
Any concerns here? It seems I could top off the brake fluid to the MAX line and keep an eye on the level as option 1. If everything is OK (i.e., no leaks), this would just mean that I might have to siphon off some fluid when I eventually change out the brake pads and the level comes back up.
Another thought is that everything is fine and that the sensor is just acting up. The manual actually says that the brake fluid does not have to be up to the MAX line, if the brake warning light is not on. I have already had the common problem with the ABS sensor, so I do question the validity of the other warning sensors, but with brakes you always want to err on the side of caution.
What would you do?
Thanks for the help,
Frank
The first thing I thought of was that it might be time to replace the brake pads. I am still running the original brake pads, but they look good (approx. 3/16” or so of pad). The brake fluid is down from the MAX line to about the crease in the reservoir.
Any concerns here? It seems I could top off the brake fluid to the MAX line and keep an eye on the level as option 1. If everything is OK (i.e., no leaks), this would just mean that I might have to siphon off some fluid when I eventually change out the brake pads and the level comes back up.
Another thought is that everything is fine and that the sensor is just acting up. The manual actually says that the brake fluid does not have to be up to the MAX line, if the brake warning light is not on. I have already had the common problem with the ABS sensor, so I do question the validity of the other warning sensors, but with brakes you always want to err on the side of caution.
What would you do?
Thanks for the help,
Frank
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 508
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From: Webster, NY
My guess is that your diagnosis of low brake fluid is correct... as you said, you can top it off and see what happens. Also, as you said, when you change your pads you may need to take some out. When you looked at your pads did you check both inner and outer pads? In all the vehicles I have had so far I have had to change the pads well ahead of having to add fluid to the reservoir.
The quickest thing to do is what you suggested... add some fluid for now and see if that helps... then when you have time give all the pads a good looking over.
The quickest thing to do is what you suggested... add some fluid for now and see if that helps... then when you have time give all the pads a good looking over.
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Thanks for the response. I did indeed just do a quick check on the pads and will follow up with a better look to confirm. It does seem more likely that it is pad replacement time and the light is flashing as a natural result.
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