ABS light flashing serious safety issue
06-27-2010, 09:28 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
ABS light flashing serious safety issue
Hi folks,
I want to pass on something that happened to me so others can avoid disaster.
I recently purchased an F150. Not long after I got the truck, the ABS light started flashing and would not stop flashing. I decided to take it to the dealer soon to have it checked out as soon as I could.
A friend noticed I had no brake lights. Upon searching this forum I found out that the brake light fuse also controls the ABS system (thanks).
I replaced the fuse and the ABS light was operating properly and all was well.
A day later I was washing my car and noticed white smoke coming from under the hood. I assumed the ABS system wiring was shorting out.
I opened the hood but no more smoke was present.
Just to be safe I left the hood open while I finished washing the car so I could see where it was coming from if there was more smoke.
About 15 minutes later smoke started pouring out form under the hood.
I ran to the truck and saw smoke pouring from the cruise control brake sensor located at the front of the master cylinder.
I grabbed the power connection to that sensor and pulled it loose which stopped the smoke.
I stopped by the Ford dealership driving my other car (I hate driving cars now). They checked and said the previous owner had never brought the car to a Ford dealer to do the cruise control fire recall. They also told me the truck could have caught on fire and been destroyed.
1. Go to ford's sight, enter your VIN, and make sure you truck has been repaired under the recall.
2. If your truck has not been fixed regarding the cruise control fire issue DISCONNECT THE POWER PLUG FROM THE SENSOR AND DO IT RIGHT NOW! The cruise control brake sensor is at the front of the brake master cylinder under the hood and you cannot miss it.
I was lucky. The guy at the Ford place told me about a ford owner who had one of those burn out in a garage, burn down the garage, and almost burn down the entire house. It can happen at any time and the key does not have to be in the ignition. Just because it has been fine until now does not mean it is not going to short out and burst into flames any second.
Get the recall fix, and then you don't have to worry about it.
I was lucky, you might not be so lucky.
I want to pass on something that happened to me so others can avoid disaster.
I recently purchased an F150. Not long after I got the truck, the ABS light started flashing and would not stop flashing. I decided to take it to the dealer soon to have it checked out as soon as I could.
A friend noticed I had no brake lights. Upon searching this forum I found out that the brake light fuse also controls the ABS system (thanks).
I replaced the fuse and the ABS light was operating properly and all was well.
A day later I was washing my car and noticed white smoke coming from under the hood. I assumed the ABS system wiring was shorting out.
I opened the hood but no more smoke was present.
Just to be safe I left the hood open while I finished washing the car so I could see where it was coming from if there was more smoke.
About 15 minutes later smoke started pouring out form under the hood.
I ran to the truck and saw smoke pouring from the cruise control brake sensor located at the front of the master cylinder.
I grabbed the power connection to that sensor and pulled it loose which stopped the smoke.
I stopped by the Ford dealership driving my other car (I hate driving cars now). They checked and said the previous owner had never brought the car to a Ford dealer to do the cruise control fire recall. They also told me the truck could have caught on fire and been destroyed.
1. Go to ford's sight, enter your VIN, and make sure you truck has been repaired under the recall.
2. If your truck has not been fixed regarding the cruise control fire issue DISCONNECT THE POWER PLUG FROM THE SENSOR AND DO IT RIGHT NOW! The cruise control brake sensor is at the front of the brake master cylinder under the hood and you cannot miss it.
I was lucky. The guy at the Ford place told me about a ford owner who had one of those burn out in a garage, burn down the garage, and almost burn down the entire house. It can happen at any time and the key does not have to be in the ignition. Just because it has been fine until now does not mean it is not going to short out and burst into flames any second.
Get the recall fix, and then you don't have to worry about it.
I was lucky, you might not be so lucky.
07-10-2010, 02:05 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
07-10-2010, 02:14 PM
#4
Senior Member
Posted elsewhere but had the same thing happen on my truck, never took it in for the recall and sure enough the cruise control device on the master cylinder started smoking and melting as I was out do some photos. Was able to catch it and unhook the connector just like you did. Had a nasty burnt electrical smell in the cab for a day. Just glad it didn't happen at 2am with the truck in the garage.
