Mystery E-Brake light
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New User
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Spokane Washington
Mystery E-Brake light
So I've got an '82 F150 2wd with a 300-6 and a C-6 and the brakes have never been the high point of my truck. A few months ago the E-brake light started coming on while driving then would shut off when the pedal was pressed. Then after a week or two it just stayed on all the time. After checking the E-brake system itself (which is not in working order) and the fluid in the reservoir, everything seemed to work fine but the damn light wouldn't turn off. Just the other day while pressing the brakes, the pedal built pressure but then went further down after a few seconds and the light went out. On the next push of the pedal it came back on. Now it's a intermitant thing with this stupid light. Any thoughts?
The front brakes are all new (calipers, pads, rotors) and the back ones are probly 15+ years old and noisy, ready for a change soon...
The front brakes are all new (calipers, pads, rotors) and the back ones are probly 15+ years old and noisy, ready for a change soon...
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lost
That same light also comes on when there's a problem in the hydraulic system. I got a feeling this is the case here.
I'm not sure if the park brake was tied into that light in 82 or not. I know it's not on my 80.
I'm not sure if the park brake was tied into that light in 82 or not. I know it's not on my 80.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Follow the brake lines down from the master cylinder till you run into a block with lines running out of it. This block is the proportioning valve. There should be a single wire plugged into the block. Unplug this wire and see if the brake light goes out.
If it does, you have problems with your system, and it's making the plunger in the valve slide over and turn the light on.
If it does, you have problems with your system, and it's making the plunger in the valve slide over and turn the light on.
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New User
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Spokane Washington
I'll check it out in the morning. I do know the same light used to work with the E-brake applied years ago when it did work. What are some good words of advice for replacing the propotioning valve? Obviously got to bleed it all after being done, but is this common? My dad did replace the master cylinder years ago, not sure if he did the valve at the same time though. Guess I'll start pricing 'em out just to be safe...
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
The proportioning valve turning the light on(if that's the case) is not a sign that the valve is bad. It's a sign that you have different brake pressure between the front brakes and the rear brakes, and you need to get that fixed.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Northern California
1980-1983 does not have a factory E-brake light. The Brake light on the dash is for warning of imminent main service brake failure. Most comon problems is the rear brake wheel cylinders, a faulty brake line, or the master cylinder. Also check the fluid in the master cylinder. Low fluid can show you which end of the truck to inspect.
The first year of the combination E-brake and Service Brake warning light was 1984, and was federally mandated by the FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards). Other firsts for 1984 mandated by the FMVSS was the clutch start switch (to prevent you from starting the truck with the clutch engaged, and key in ignition buzzer.
The first year of the combination E-brake and Service Brake warning light was 1984, and was federally mandated by the FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards). Other firsts for 1984 mandated by the FMVSS was the clutch start switch (to prevent you from starting the truck with the clutch engaged, and key in ignition buzzer.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Jackson, TN
My 84 light is intermitten as well. If I lift on the ebrake pedal, it goes off. It's just worn on mine. Sometimes on, sometimes off.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
This should not be a problem with the 1982 mentioned earlier, as the brake warning light does not have anything to do with the e-brake 1980-1983 from the factory. (unless some previous owner or dealer wired it)
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From: Spokane Washington
I'm 100% certain that the light worked with the E-brake when it worked years ago. My dad had a real bad habit of leaving it applied and driving off, hence its later failure. But yeah I pulled the connector off and it went out. Like I have said before the back brakes haven't been touched in over a decade. It's gunna get all new hardware, shoes, drums, wheel cylinders, etc... when I do the back brakes. Guess I'll see if that cures it
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New User
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From: Spokane Washington
My grandpa and the original owner had tons of factory and aftermarket stuff installed for towing before we got it in '91 so I wouldn't be suprised if one of 'em had that done to.
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New User
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From: Spokane Washington
I don't blame ya, my dad had an '84 with that stupid buzzer. The only thing more annoying that it was the horn, it was kinda "wimpy" for such a nice truck. No buzzers for me luckily
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