E-Brake light coming on while driving - ??

[Jenn D]

This has now happened twice.



When I leave my neighborhood I make a few turns to get onto a long running straight road. It has happened twice now, but while on this road, I look down, my e-brake light is on. I never use my e-brake (living in FL with a flat driveway and flat parking lot at work). The first time, I just pulled on the release while I was driving and it turned off.



This morning, I didn't notice the light was on until I felt a weird hesitation between gears and looked down to see what was going on, then when I saw the light, I pulled the release and nothing happened. I tried it again, and nothing. I hit the brakes to see if it would do anything and still nothing. Finally, I pulled over into a gas station. As I pulled into a parking spot, before I put the ST in Park, the light turned off (once my ST came to a complete stop). So, I shut it off. Let it sit. And then started it up again. No light. However, when I pulled out of the gas station, back onto the road, the light came on again. About an 1/8 of a mile down the road I considered turning around and going home to drive the Ranger to work, the light shut off on it's own.



This has happened twice now in a week. It only happens in the mornings and aside from the odd shift this morning (which could have just been a morning hiccup), it doesn't effect the driveability of the ST. Regardless, does anyone have any thoughts on what it might be? If I should be worried? Should I just go get a new F-150 now since Ford rolled out the 0% for up to 72 months? j/k .... or am I? (I actually considered this last night....I wonder if my ST is punishing me)



:blink:

 

[Gary DiPietroSr]

If your e brake is not really on, just the light, check the switch and mounting bracket.

It's on the brake bracket itself. It might be loose or needs an adjustment.



Gary D.

 

[Jef Fletcher]

I had this same issue with my 04 Trac. I took it into the dealer and they made some adjustments to the E-brake. I too never used mine here in St. Louis.



and you are in the same boat I was. I ended up trading my Trac in for an 06 Supercrew.

 

[Todd Z]

Did you happen to check you brake fluid level????

This will also turn on the light...

Todd Z

 

[Jenn D]

In the last 2000 miles I've had a "complete" service and they supposedly checked it. However, I will double check it tonight. I will also check the switch and mounting bracket. Thanks guys.

 

[Todd Z]

Most places will not ADD fluid to the master. If the level is low that means there is a leak or the brake pads have worn down. The fluid level could just be slightly low. AND do not fill it to the top. This will make a huge mess when you do get brakes put on...

i feel 100% you do not have a leak.

Keep us posted.

Todd Z

 

[shawn stonbraker 2]

I agree with Todd. Mine did the same thing every time I would apply the brakes and come to a stop. First thing I checked was the resevoir and it was low. Put some in and it stopped comming on.

 

[Jenn D]

The odd thing though is that my light goes OFF when I braked to a complete stop. It didn't discriminate between accelerating or braking, only complete stops. Then is just went off completely a few minutes later.



I'll still check everything though. I am also going to discuss a new F-150 with the fiancee. I'm going to have to be extra specially nice to make this happen.

 

[Jenn D]

Well, it did it again when I was leaving work. It only comes on when I first start it up from cold, and only when I accelerate. If I get up to speed and stay, it goes off, if I hit the brakes hard it stops, but overall it only lasts for a little over 2 minutes (enough time to get on the highway).



When I got home, I let my ST sit and then checked the brake fluid and it's good, not too low or too high. Then I attempted to check the switch and mounting bracket and realize that I have no clue where this is. I did check to see if anything was out of whack in the under the hood as well as where the e-brake pedal is under the control panel.



I'm a bit stuck.



I talked to Scott tonight about trading. At the moment I "talked" him into it, I almost cried. I realized that I really don't want to part with my ST. I like it too much and have spent too much time and money on it. However, with the wedding looming and spending over $350 in transportation costs (gas and tolls) to go to and from work, I could use a cut in payments. I'm torn.



But for now, my task at hand is trying to diagnose what's going on with my baby. Any ideas?

 

[Todd Z]

The sensor is located below where the fluid goes... There is a plug in the metal...



I say add some fluid to the reservoir and go from there.....

Also when in is open you will see the foam float in there, move that up and down a little with a pen maybe it is stuck...



I still say it is the fluid level...

 

[Doug Watts]

My brakes were worn down pretty far when this started happening to me. You might want to check the pads yourself.