SCARY brake-related LIGHT SHOW on dashboard! =:O

[fixizin]

It started with the (R)ABS light in this thread:

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53466

NOW, in addition to the 'ABS' light coming on more frequently, the (parking) 'BRAKE' light makes an intermittent appearance, and SCARIEST of all, the '4WD HIGH' *and* the '4WD LOW' indicator lights come on together, and are also part of the "cycle"... i.e. it will sometimes run in a sequence: ABS-then-BRAKE-then-both 4WD lights... lather, rinse, repeat.

It's as if it's pumping out an OBD-II code via the indicator lights... what gives?

Won't have access to a really good scanner 'til Sunday...

... thanks in advance!

 

[danger_ranger05]

I have an 05 Ranger and my brake light turned on and stayed on untill I replaced the brakes, then everything returned to normal. Probably just a computer glitch...

 

[Captain Ledd]

I've heard if enough little metal shavings attach themselves to the tone ring/ sensor thingy apparatus (since it works on magnets) it'll throw out weird brake codes and blinking lights (ABS/BRAKE).

No idea whatsoever what's going on with the 4wd though...

When you get it on the scanner be sure to get back on here and tell us whats what, I'm curious.

 

[BwanaJim]

As a Master Tec of 25 years I can tell you that your truck is possessed and must be destroyed.

 

[li7in6]

As a Master Tec of 25 years I can tell you that your truck is possessed and must be destroyed.

KILL IT WITH FIRE.

 

[fixizin]

ALLLLL-righty then... those last 2 replies are certainly moderate, and exactly what I was planning on anyway...

Will finally be getting the super scanner THIS weekend, will report back. Will also have a pedal-pumping assistant.

The 4WD HI-LO light portion of the "show" has ended (for now), but the ABS and BRAKE lights are still taking turns.

Having just crossed 36k on the odo, a new pair of front pads is probably in order, even though no noise, wobble, pull, or noticeable decrease in braking performance. No need to have the rotors turned, I'm guessing...

Any recommendations on pad BRANDS for straight swap-out?

While I'm thinking about it, I should probably go out and do some hard braking in reverse, to "adjust" the rear shoes... and give the neighbors something to gawk at.

 

[fixizin]

I've heard if enough little metal shavings attach themselves to the tone ring/ sensor thingy apparatus (since it works on magnets) it'll throw out weird brake codes and blinking lights (ABS/BRAKE).

This begs 2 questions:

1) WHERE would metal shavings come from, the master cylinder walls and plunger?

2) Which computer throws the (C)hassis/Brake codes?


After resolving this brake issue, I look forward to doing my shocks and ball joints, and some bushings, plus a couple clicks on the torsion bars, and enjoying a radical NEW TRUCK feel! ... I can already see myself "catching air" over some RR crossings...

 

[fixizin]

D'OH!!... seems the brake fluid was a tad low in the master rez... Couple oz. of the clear stuff cured both the ABS and BRAKE lights coming on... not sure what "cured" the weird 4WD HI & 4WD LO thingy...

Anyway, got the super-scanner, and before I did the DOT-3 topoff, I was getting NO codes off the usual OBD-II connector under dash...

... what is the 2-wire connector near the master cylinder/proportioning valve? I have no adapter in the universal scanner box to fit this. Is this where ABS codes dribble out?

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

same thing happened to me.. my battery was bouncing around and the positive cable was shorting to ground... FAIL