Brake Light Switch

[StewieNC]

1999 Ranger RABS, 4.0L, Manual Transmission

I replaced the brake light switch, now the brake lights work fine. The problem is that the ABS light comes on when I drive away. I've spent a lot of time trouble shooting and I am quite sure the problem is the switch. Below is a description of how I isolated the brake light switch as the problem.

I detached the wire harness from the new switch and attached it to a second brake light switch that I let hang under the dash. The brake lights obviously don't work with this configuration, but the ABS light does not come on while driving.

Anyone else have problems with the brake pedal switch?

The ABS system on these vehicles is a real PIA.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Maybe your new brake light switch is bad. It happens. Is it Motorcraft?

 

[RonD]

1999 Brake light switch is actually 2 separate switches inside
It should have 5 wires

Brake light switch
Light green/red wire from fuse 13 in cab fuse box, 20amp(for brake lights)
Light green out to brake lights
Simple on/off switch

Then there is the brake pedal position switch, 3 wires
Brown wire from fuse 9, 7.5amp
Black wire, a ground
Light green wire, to ABS and Cruise Control
This switch Grounds it's green wire to ABS when pedal is up and then has 12v when pedal is down

ABS light will come on if there is no ground on the green wire, and cruise would also be disabled
ABS system resets itself each time key is turned off and on
And will often not turn on the ABS yellow light until vehicle is moving and it sees a problem

Check fuse 9 and check that the black wire is grounded

 

[StewieNC]

I purchased the new switch at Auto Zone, so its Duralast. It crossed my mind to try a switch from Motorcraft. Will let you know.

I will also check the grounding issue. The wire color code description is a great help.
Thanks!

 

[StewieNC]

I fixed my ABS light problem by replacing brake light switch I purchased at Autozone with a Motorcraft switch. Now the brake lights work and the ABS light is off. I have had good luck with parts from the Zone, but not this time. New parts are not always good parts.