docwood44
New Member
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2012
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
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- Vehicle Year
- 1997
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Transmission
- Manual
This is a 1997 Ranger XLT 4X4, with a 4.0 V6.
I have searched the posts for help with this problem, but I don't feel certain that I have found the definitive answer. Some weeks ago, I lost pressure in my brake pedal and it traveled almost to the floor and the yellow ABS light came on, as did the red Brake light. I still had stopping power, but it seemed spongy and there was no loss of brake fluid. I took it to a professional shop and a more major problem was discovered....the rear end had gone out, with a failure of a seal that had contaminated the brakes on the passenger side.There was much conjecture about what actually caused the brake problem...gear oil on the brake shoes, the failure of the rear end gears causing an error of the ABS sensor, even an electrical short of some kind in the dash wiring. Anyway, fast forward to a couple of days ago, I picked up the truck that they said was done and ready,with a total axle replacement as well as brakes and brake hardware kit. The brakes seem stiff to me, but I figure because everything is new. I drive about two miles down the road, come to a traffic light stop, and the brake pedal slowly loses pressure, going almost all the way to the floor, and the ABS light comes on , with the brake light, as before. I take the truck back, they bleed the lines again and adjust the brakes. I am told that a blown 15amp fuse was also discovered in the power distribution box, that may or may not have added to the problem. The possible electrical short problem was the result of a stored code that indicated a failed fluid level indicator switch. A bipass/jump of that switch and a retest suggested the possible electrical short behind the instrument cluster. I did a brake booster test as described here on this forum. When I pumped the pedal with the ignition off, all seems solid and airtight. When I press the pedal and keep it pressed as I start the truck, the pedal slowly loses all pressure and goes almost all the way to the floor. Could this be caused by an electrical short, or is this a brake booster or master cylinder problem? Sorry for having to write a novel.....Thanks.
Mark
I have searched the posts for help with this problem, but I don't feel certain that I have found the definitive answer. Some weeks ago, I lost pressure in my brake pedal and it traveled almost to the floor and the yellow ABS light came on, as did the red Brake light. I still had stopping power, but it seemed spongy and there was no loss of brake fluid. I took it to a professional shop and a more major problem was discovered....the rear end had gone out, with a failure of a seal that had contaminated the brakes on the passenger side.There was much conjecture about what actually caused the brake problem...gear oil on the brake shoes, the failure of the rear end gears causing an error of the ABS sensor, even an electrical short of some kind in the dash wiring. Anyway, fast forward to a couple of days ago, I picked up the truck that they said was done and ready,with a total axle replacement as well as brakes and brake hardware kit. The brakes seem stiff to me, but I figure because everything is new. I drive about two miles down the road, come to a traffic light stop, and the brake pedal slowly loses pressure, going almost all the way to the floor, and the ABS light comes on , with the brake light, as before. I take the truck back, they bleed the lines again and adjust the brakes. I am told that a blown 15amp fuse was also discovered in the power distribution box, that may or may not have added to the problem. The possible electrical short problem was the result of a stored code that indicated a failed fluid level indicator switch. A bipass/jump of that switch and a retest suggested the possible electrical short behind the instrument cluster. I did a brake booster test as described here on this forum. When I pumped the pedal with the ignition off, all seems solid and airtight. When I press the pedal and keep it pressed as I start the truck, the pedal slowly loses all pressure and goes almost all the way to the floor. Could this be caused by an electrical short, or is this a brake booster or master cylinder problem? Sorry for having to write a novel.....Thanks.
Mark