ABS / Brake Idiot lights

JD · Nov 7, 2007

Hi guys - I did a front brake overhaul (pads, rotors, calipers & lines) around June and everything has worked fine. Now for the past few weeks my ABS & Parking Brake warning light keep coming on when I apply the brakes. I don't notice any difference in brake performance or response - Any ideas?

mossyoak03 · Nov 7, 2007

drive it till the wheels fall off

metalmacguyver · Nov 7, 2007

abs light is typically an indication of a dirty sensor.

JD · Nov 27, 2007

Update

So I guess those idiot lights are named so for a reason...you're (I'm) an idiot if you blow them off! :nono:

Keeping my original post in mind - Had to lay on the brakes pretty hard going about 55 mph and the brakes went out! The LR line blew, pedal right to the floor and missed the car in front of me by less that a foot. My best guess is that the line must have been seeping just enough to trigger the ABS/BRAKE idiot lights? The pinhole leak was about a 1/2 inch from the rear brake brass splitter block and was obviously due to rust-through.

Other than getting the old parts off, a very easy DIY. This was also a good opportunity to inspect & grease the spare tire carrier which has never been used. As a result, it was rusted bad, the hinges were seized up and I snapped-off the support bar eye bolt which holds the spare tire in place. Probably something you don't want to wrestle with when that less-then-opportune time comes. :icon_thumby:

jarz21 · Nov 27, 2007

After replacing the brake line, are the lights off? My '92 Ranger has both of the brake warning lights on, and that corresponds to a bad rear ABS valve. I double-checked this by testing the code (briefly grounding the black/orange wire under the dash and watching the Rear Anti-lock brake light flash).

Kevin in PA

metalmacguyver · Nov 27, 2007

JD said:
So I guess those idiot lights are named so for a reason...you're (I'm) an idiot if you blow them off!

Keeping my original post in mind - Had to lay on the brakes pretty hard going about 55 mph and the brakes went out! The LR line blew, pedal right to the floor and missed the car in front of me by less that a foot.

Your not an idiot if your brakes fail cause you pressed the brakes to hard. There should be no way that you could rupture a line with the amount of force that you can generate from the drivers seat. The fact that you did simply means that it was already failing through no fault of yours.

Also, i think my brake line blew in exactly the same place. difference was that i was doing 85mph!

JD · Dec 3, 2007

jarz21 said:
After replacing the brake line, are the lights off? My '92 Ranger has both of the brake warning lights on, and that corresponds to a bad rear ABS valve. I double-checked this by testing the code (briefly grounding the black/orange wire under the dash and watching the Rear Anti-lock brake light flash).

Kevin in PA

Yes - both the ABS & Brake lights are off now. Maybe your sensor is getting bad? For the cost it would be worth changing and it's very easy to get to.

JD · Dec 3, 2007

metalmacguyver said:
your not an idiot if your brakes fail cause you pressed the brakes to hard. there should be no way that you could rupture a line with the amount of force that you can generate from the drivers seat. the fact that you did simply means that it was already failing through no fault of yours.

also, i think my brake line blew in exactly the same place. difference was that i was doing 85mph!

Ya, I was just thinkin' out loud that if that light is rearing it's ugly head it might be worth a closer look...that brake fluid sprayed everywhere!

Your Ranger goes 85 !? :pray:

metalmacguyver · Dec 3, 2007

JD said:
Your Ranger goes 85 !?

HAHA

it had 3.73 gears and i have managed to find the speed limiter but only with a good down hill and a tail wind. :headbang:

MA Ranger · Feb 16, 2010

jarz21 - did you check the electrical connector to the rear antilock brake valve? I had both the red and orange antilock brake warning lights come on my '94 Ranger after the brakes were bled. After I plugged the connector in securely, both lights went out.

MountainMike · Feb 17, 2010

Simple stupid question... fluid is good and topped up?

lilREDranger96 · Mar 1, 2010

who cares your brakes work lol just be glad

ABS / Brake Idiot lights

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