Potential Problem?

[sfloody17]

Hey Y'all,

Just recently bought a '99 Ranger with the 3.0 V6, 4wd, Automatic. Been running like a dream, drove it from Florida to Wyoming about two weeks ago. Tonight I got in it and started and noticed that I wasn't getting full braking power (I was running at about 15mph, I could slam on the brakes and it would slow down but take a long time to stop.) I turned the truck of for a second, tried to re-start it and the engine would crank and turn over but wouldn't start. After several expletives and searching for a flashlight, I took a chance and turned the key again and she started up without a problem. I had full braking power again and she drove home without a problem.

I let her sit for a couple hours and started her agian and she started without any problems again. There's no check engine light or any other warning lights, and all my gauges look good.

This was just a little disconcerting and I was wondering if y'all had any insight on this. Is it a problem? Should I be worried?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer me,
Floody

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Sounds like maybe a brake booster getting ready to fail causing a massive vaccum leak, or possibly a huge hole in the vaccum hose running to the booster.

 

[ForTheLoveOfMonkeys]

Sounds like maybe a brake booster getting ready to fail causing a massive vaccum leak, or possibly a huge hole in the vaccum hose running to the booster.

^This

Check for vacuum leaks thoroughly.

If none then:

Test 1: With engine off, pump the brake pedal 4 times and hold. Start the car and the brake pedal should sink. If it does brake booster is not the problem.
Test 2: Start car and let idle for 2 minutes. Press and hold brake pedal. Turn off the engine. Pedal shouldn’t rise for 30 seconds. If it rises you have a problem with brake booster.
Test 3: Start car and let idle for 2 minutes. Turn off the engine. Pump brake pedal 3 times. The pedal should rise a little bit higher after each release.

Its one of those things you should test to find out rather than find out in action.