Break and RABS light coming on in cold weather, etc.

[furtive]

I've got a 93 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 that I inherited. Breaks feel and work fine but I've noticed a few symptoms:

1. Break light will come on when depressed, go away afterwards. Checked levels and although not at max they aren't at minimum either. Light will sometimes stay on if it is cold (we regularly get -25) and go away when vehicle is very warm (30 min) or next restart.

2. ABS light will come on, and stay on, often when starting but definitely after first break.

The vehicle passed a safety inspection at a Ford dealership 5 months ago, although they mentioned lines were cracking. It also has (previous) damage to the front which appears to have affected electrical system (keys/lights in car chime goes off even when not true on driver side, left signal light doesn't alway blink, dome light would stay on).

So I'm looking for advice before I take it to the shop since I lack the skills to fix this myself, here's what I'm thinking of asking them to check:

1. Wires on master cylinder for fluid level
2. Rear sensor
3. Bleed break fluid on master cylinder
4. bad RABS valve

Not sure what I should say about electrical stuff and if it should be checked first. Budget is my highest priority after safety.

All thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[brendank]

I've got a 93 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 that I inherited. Breaks feel and work fine but I've noticed a few symptoms:

1. Break light will come on when depressed, go away afterwards. Checked levels and although not at max they aren't at minimum either. Light will sometimes stay on if it is cold (we regularly get -25) and go away when vehicle is very warm (30 min) or next restart.

2. ABS light will come on, and stay on, often when starting but definitely after first break.

The vehicle passed a safety inspection at a Ford dealership 5 months ago, although they mentioned lines were cracking. It also has (previous) damage to the front which appears to have affected electrical system (keys/lights in car chime goes off even when not true on driver side, left signal light doesn't alway blink, dome light would stay on).

So I'm looking for advice before I take it to the shop since I lack the skills to fix this myself, here's what I'm thinking of asking them to check:

1. Wires on master cylinder for fluid level
2. Rear sensor
3. Bleed break fluid on master cylinder
4. bad RABS valve

Not sure what I should say about electrical stuff and if it should be checked first. Budget is my highest priority after safety.

All thoughts would be appreciated.

Quite likely #4. Faulty RABS valves are very common.