parking brake light not working right?

[Stevan26]

hi, i have a 2001 Ranger XLT 4door 4x4 4.0L,

my parking brake light in the IP isnt working right,when i turn the key to "on" and its supose to cycle all the lights.well it doesnt turn on the parking brake light, and when i put the parking brake on it also light up, BUT! when i start the truck the parking brake light will illuminate....wierd... anyone got any ideas where to start?

thanks

 

[nitrofan1]

Welcome to TRS Stevan!

Now let me understand this. The light doesn't illuminate when the key is in the on position, but when you press the parking brake down it does illuminate and when you start the truck it illuminates?

I'd replace the parking brake switch. It's not expensive and if it doesn't fix it no biggie. It's really not that big of a deal. My 93's does the same thing and I've lived with it for 9 months since I got it.

If ya do wanna replace it the Motorcraft # SW3883. You can get it where parts stores sell Motorcraft or an aftermarket version or the dealer.

 

[Explorin94]

I believe the parking brake and the low brake fluid sensor in the master cylinder share the same bulb in the instrument panel. Check your fluid level in the master cylinder.

 

[adsm08]

I'm with nitrofan for places to start. The fact that the bulb doesn't prove out but does come on with the brake set is really odd though.

Exploin, you are right, they do share a bulb. BUT, low fluid should leave it on all the time and should be tripping the ABS light as well (if the truck has ABS).

 

[Explorin94]

Low brake fluid won't trip and ABS light. It's not part of the ABS system.

 

[Stevan26]

my bad maybe i explained wrong. oops.

ok, when i cycle key it does NOT turn on, when i put on parking brake it does NOT turn on, but when i start the truck it DOES come on with all other lights that cylce..

 

[adsm08]

Ok, that is much clearer.

I'm gonna stick with my initial response.

 

[Stevan26]

hmm realy? i mean i have a minor in automotive but i guess ididnt think itd be the parking brake switch cuz it didnt illuminate when u cylce the key.

but ok il try it. is it the same kinda set up like a brake\clutch pedal switch

 

[adsm08]

It's similar. It's a momentary contact switch that is mounted behind the pedal arm. You can always try putting a jumper wire across the plug and seeing if the light comes on then.

The light can come on, so we know it has power, ground, and a good bulb. It proves out when you start the truck, so it can prove out. It doesn't come on when the brake is set. So either you have a bad switch and the rest is normal operation, or you have some really screwy software issues.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

I bet it has the same issue mine had. The switch on the pedal arm is sticking.
Reach under it and push it with your hand, it should pop back up as soon u release it.

Maybe its gettin sticky or the electric contacts are a bit loose.
I fixed mine with a wd-40 bath.

 

[Stevan26]

ok thanks! il mess around with it all