Brake Light

[mdmarble]

I'm definitely not a mechanic, so sorry if I sound like an idiot.

I've got an 02 Ranger 3.0L. My brake light has been coming on lately, and I know it has nothing to do with my parking brake. It's been inconsistant. Say for instance, if I start my truck, disengage my parking brake, the light will turn off. I'll dive down the hill, stop at the light, and when I get going, the light will turn on. As I accelerate, the light stays on. If I'm real mellow on the gas, the light will stay on for quite some time. If I kinda punch it, and let off the gas quick, or when it shifts gears, the light will turn off. It will not turn back on until I stop, and step off the brake again. I've also noticed that when I'm driving in town, I loose brake power fairly quickly, and I find myself stepping on the brake harder. I've almost exclusively been driving on the freeway lately, and they perform well on the freeway.

My brake fluid is at a normal level. I don't know how power brakes work, but I imagine as RPM's increase, pressure in the brake line increases through some pump. Maybe this pump is not working properly? I know it's time for my brake pads to be replaced as well. My truck has 64K on it, and I have not changed the pads since I bought the truck. I doubt brake pads would be a part of this problem.

Thanks,
-Mike

 

[martin]

If you are not losing fluid, the level in the resevoir will go down as the pads wear so if you need pads the level might be just where it is triggering the low level sensor. If the pads need changing you should change them first and see if it solves the problem as it will raise the fluid level. If not add a small amount of fluid.

 

[MountainMike]

It could be something as the return spring is wore out on your parking brake pedal and it's just moving up and down as you drive. I'm putting another spring on mine, right at the pedal instead off the cable to keep it up. Mine doesn't go all the way up when I disengage it and my light sticks on.

 

[mdmarble]

Thanks guys. That's a good point. I didnt think that worn out pads could possibly be the problem.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Is it the parking brake light or the ABS light? the abs woud be tied into the master cylinder and would come on if something was wrong with the abs system or fluid was low caused by warn pads. the parking brake ligh is a different system with i believe is located on or near the parking brake pedal. If its the brake light for the parking brake, next time you stop hard and the light comes on reach down and release the p brake lever again or pull up on the p brake pedal. the light might go away because the pedal is just stuck or streched and loose.

EDIT if the fluid levels fine without you adding any then the pads are probably not worn. Check em anyways though.

 

[The purple one]

Could be the master is going.

 

[modelageek]

Is it the parking brake light or the ABS light? the abs woud be tied into the master cylinder and would come on if something was wrong with the abs system or fluid was low caused by warn pads. the parking brake ligh is a different system with i believe is located on or near the parking brake pedal. If its the brake light for the parking brake, next time you stop hard and the light comes on reach down and release the p brake lever again or pull up on the p brake pedal. the light might go away because the pedal is just stuck or streched and loose.

EDIT if the fluid levels fine without you adding any then the pads are probably not worn. Check em anyways though.

+1 om Original Rangers point if you are talking about the parking brake light. the parking brake has to be released completely then it pushes down on a spring that shuts off the light get down and look at the parking brake mechanism and play with it to see that it is all the way up and the brake light goes off. you should lube it with some lithium spray grease