A puzzling brake light problem
08-21-2014, 12:18 PM
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A puzzling brake light problem
Hello, newbie here and by no means truck saavy hence my reason for joining this awesome forum (to which I've gotten great info in the past). I have owned a '95 F150 XLT since Oct. 2013 and even though it is a salvage repair and I won't spend a nickel on the body, this truck runs very well, barely leaks and doesn't burn oil. I got it from a friend for $1000 (he bought it 3 months earlier and decided he didn't need it). I've replaced the front rotors/brakes, inherited a new radiator, replaced thermostat/coolant (Vegas is hot), inherited a K&N air filter, steering column (headache) and brake sensor. Truck was in great condition after all that. A/C ice cold and stop&go traffic barely moves the needle.
A couple weeks ago I noticed that my shifting was getting difficult to get out of Park. I didn't think much about it until recently I was backing into the garage and notice that my BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE. I do not have any bulbs burned out (I replaced the tail light bulbs after the brake sensor was replaced, they burned out) and I do get brake lights when the engine is shut off but as soon as I turn the engine over, my brake lights don't light up or flicker and then go off.
Now as to the brake pedal, it doesn't go to the floor unless I am frustrated in trying to get out of park. They seem to work well and I do lightly pump my brakes when stopping but stopping is not difficult. My dad thinks maybe the MASTER CYLINDER could be leaking internally. I've read vacuum pump and master cylinder for other problems related to this but not necessarily like my problem. I am not leaking anything and my brake reservoir is still at the max line. Anybody out there have a notion, crazy or not, on what it could be that is causing my lights to not stay on when I hit the brake pedal? Thanks!!!
- Tim
A couple weeks ago I noticed that my shifting was getting difficult to get out of Park. I didn't think much about it until recently I was backing into the garage and notice that my BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE. I do not have any bulbs burned out (I replaced the tail light bulbs after the brake sensor was replaced, they burned out) and I do get brake lights when the engine is shut off but as soon as I turn the engine over, my brake lights don't light up or flicker and then go off.
Now as to the brake pedal, it doesn't go to the floor unless I am frustrated in trying to get out of park. They seem to work well and I do lightly pump my brakes when stopping but stopping is not difficult. My dad thinks maybe the MASTER CYLINDER could be leaking internally. I've read vacuum pump and master cylinder for other problems related to this but not necessarily like my problem. I am not leaking anything and my brake reservoir is still at the max line. Anybody out there have a notion, crazy or not, on what it could be that is causing my lights to not stay on when I hit the brake pedal? Thanks!!!
- Tim
08-22-2014, 07:15 PM
#2
It's a Canadian thing eh!
My bet is the brake switch or wiring is at fault. When you push the brake pedal it will release the shift lock actuator in the steering column to get the truck out of park. So if the switch or wiring is bad it wont allow the brake lights to stay on or get the shifter to move when in park.
As for pumping up the pedal try checking the rear brakes, adjusters could be seized and the brake shoes just have way too much travel to the drum making the pedal feel low.
As for pumping up the pedal try checking the rear brakes, adjusters could be seized and the brake shoes just have way too much travel to the drum making the pedal feel low.
08-28-2014, 06:54 PM
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I finally get around to checking my post and I appreciate the help/insight. I have yet to check the drums though the last check revealed decent pads and what not. However, I decided to recheck the brake switch sensor and wouldn't you know it; I saw that the wire attached to it was wrapped around the back of the steering column in a manner that proved to tight once I tap on the brakes. I guess over a small amount of time I was stressing the wires connected to the switch and shorting it out or something. So I just unplugged the wire and gave it some slack then plugged it back in. Voila! Everything seems to check out just fine. Brake lights work as they should. I wasn't kidding when I said I am not truck savvy. Lol... getting there. Thanks again!