91 bronco brake problems
New User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 8
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91 bronco brake problems
I have a 91 bronco with the RABS brakes. I live in a very hot area (averge temp is 115 in the day and 90s at night)I have replaced all the spring,shoes ect on the rear end. My problem is: I'll be driving along and the back brakes will just lock-up. If I turn off the truck and wait the brakes release and I can go agian. If I am in the mountains where it is cool. No problems. and Of course the dang rear brake light is on in the dash..but that has been on for a while and I was told by ford that it is not a problem. Well now it is.... please help anyone..
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
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From: Loveland, CO.
91 bronco brake problems
See my thread about ABS and brake lights, maybe somebody will post something there that will help you. I know that when mine would idle for a while in the hot sun, the lights would come on for no apparent reason (although the brakes didn't lock up), so this seems to have something to do with heat.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Nevada
91 bronco brake problems
It's also warm here in Las Vegas, NV. I flush my 82's brake system every-other-year and haven't experienced any problems.
Heat kills brake fluid and sounds like it may affect your updated system more than mine.
Do you have the shop manual to troubleshoot the system and understand how it operates? If you intend to keep your Bronco, getting the manuals will, in the long run, save you a bunch of money and effort.
Sorry I don't have a quick solution.
Heat kills brake fluid and sounds like it may affect your updated system more than mine.
Do you have the shop manual to troubleshoot the system and understand how it operates? If you intend to keep your Bronco, getting the manuals will, in the long run, save you a bunch of money and effort.
Sorry I don't have a quick solution.
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Joined: Sep 2001
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91 bronco brake problems
I don't have a manual, but will get one. I'm trying to find the codes for the self test (where you use the jumper wire and count the check engine light blinks)I think that it has something to do with the RABS box on the frame under the drivers seat. I was told that this test with the jumper wire could tell me what the problem is....any ideas?
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Nevada
91 bronco brake problems
If you're going to invest in the manuals, I'd suggest you also get a code puller for your system. They've become fairly inexpensive. Your Bronco is ten years old, but it has an engine management system that defies human reasoning.
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New User
Joined: Sep 2001
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91 bronco brake problems
Thanks for all the ideas..today I'll start ripping..let you know what I find out...anymore help would be great..i'll check back
Thanks again
Thanks again
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
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From: Loveland, CO.
91 bronco brake problems
Is the RABS plug the one in the center of the rear differential? I unplugged that one, it made the red brake light go out, but the ABS light stayed on. I ended up removing the bulb at the dash to shut it up. When you unplug the wire going to the plug on the diff, does that disable the RABS as well? I don't care, I don't like RABS anyway. And does the fact that the ABS light stayed on even after I unplugged the plug on the diff mean anything? It seems to me that it would mean that I had a sensor problem, and not a brake problem, since the light was still on even though there was no connection to the rear diff. Any ideas about this? Thanks
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Joined: Sep 2001
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91 bronco brake problems
Things I have learned today: 1, find someone that knows what is going on, this is not me so I called my father-in-law. 2, You need a ohms meter..again thanks dad. 3, and most inportant, go to http://www.autoweb.lycos.com/garage/encyclop/ency141.htm and print that bad boy out. It was copyrighted so I did not want to cut and paste.
This is a test that you can do with a jump wire from the diagnostic connector that is hanging back by the parking brake pedal and ground on the frame. When the "rear antilock" light is on, so the truck is on too. Use the jump wire and the light will start to flash, you count the flashes and you get your code. I got a code 9, that is the sensor off the transmission. We removed the sensor and put the ohms meter to it. It was to read from 1,000 to 2500 ohms between the two sensor pins. We got nothing. A call to my local Ford dealer and $12.22 later I have the new part in and no light, and the brakes are not locking up..so far. Its only 100 out side right now, not to hot for here. So we'll wait and see...Also this is good for '88 ford F-pickup and Broncos, and there is info on Chev if ya need. Hope this helps someone..because it made me nuts for two weeks. I hope this is the end of the problem because I really love my truck..thanks again to everyone
This is a test that you can do with a jump wire from the diagnostic connector that is hanging back by the parking brake pedal and ground on the frame. When the "rear antilock" light is on, so the truck is on too. Use the jump wire and the light will start to flash, you count the flashes and you get your code. I got a code 9, that is the sensor off the transmission. We removed the sensor and put the ohms meter to it. It was to read from 1,000 to 2500 ohms between the two sensor pins. We got nothing. A call to my local Ford dealer and $12.22 later I have the new part in and no light, and the brakes are not locking up..so far. Its only 100 out side right now, not to hot for here. So we'll wait and see...Also this is good for '88 ford F-pickup and Broncos, and there is info on Chev if ya need. Hope this helps someone..because it made me nuts for two weeks. I hope this is the end of the problem because I really love my truck..thanks again to everyone
New User
Joined: Sep 2001
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91 bronco brake problems
I went back they changed some stuff..sorry..try this..its a little work but its worth it to have...yes the link is bad (I tried 3 time to link it), i dont know why, but it gets ya to the site,
cut and paste
http://www.autoweb.lycos.com/garage/encyclop/ency141.htm, then
it will error. next go to the heading "maintain" by the little key piture and click on more. click on "Maintenance and repair" Scroll down to "repair Index" and click. Scroll to "Auto Repair Encyclopedia click it. Click on "XIV Brakes". Then click on "L-Kelsey-Hayes Hauls 'em Down: Straight Rear ABS". and there ya go. or if someone can link it (hehe) that would be good!!
cut and paste
http://www.autoweb.lycos.com/garage/encyclop/ency141.htm, then
it will error. next go to the heading "maintain" by the little key piture and click on more. click on "Maintenance and repair" Scroll down to "repair Index" and click. Scroll to "Auto Repair Encyclopedia click it. Click on "XIV Brakes". Then click on "L-Kelsey-Hayes Hauls 'em Down: Straight Rear ABS". and there ya go. or if someone can link it (hehe) that would be good!!
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
91 bronco brake problems
Thanks!! I guess I'll have to replace my ABS bulb to check this out. I'm glad you fixed yours. I'll post my results after I do this. My brakes are working fine, but if I can fix the sensor problem correctly and inexpensively myself, why not?
New User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 8
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91 bronco brake problems
Hey, good luck, I now have more lights..hehe, the Brake and the Abs are both glowing for me now..I got the big number 4 this time. That is the part that I really did not want to replace. ($160.00 from Ford)But hey what can ya do, ya gotta Stop!! And really there is nothing left to replace after this..