Red brake light on when it should not

MCILVADK

MEMBER
FORD WINDSTAR

Periodically, when I stop by 2001 Ford Windstar the emergency brake light comes on. The emergency brake is handle is not pulled. The ABS light is not on. It occurs ast slow seeds coming to a complete stop, or sometimes at start up. Restarting the car resets the light. This has started occuring every couple weeks since the dealer services the brakes. The dealer now wants to replace the $1000 control unit of the abs systems. I have my doubts.

3.8 liter, 46K

2 Replies

BMASTERJERRY

MECHANIC
47 POSTS

Make sure the Master Cylinder is filled to the top with brake fluid.

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Thursday, September 13th, 2007 AT 8:09 PM

MCILVADK

MEMBER
4 POSTS

TESTS:
0-25 slow --- no llight,
0-25+ faaaast -- no light.
My red light situation is very intermitten. The amber light is also not on. I drove from Delaware to Michigan and back, and it did not come on. I drove an hour away and it came on 3 times. (The later was the hottest on the days) I have asked for the codes from Ford before I agree for their $1100 repair. They have tried the diaelectric grease, and the light still came on after that. ( 3 times in ten days) Thanks

PART TWO:

I have joined the club on the other post. I filed the complaint.

For Jeff on the other post, here is some information:

scrunchy brakes : I have this two, and this seems to be common. Fix seems to be replace both the master cyl and brake booster

whirling noise: I had this too, and adding power steering fluid curing the situation.

PART THREE:
I had the interior light fuse blow after about one month after the brake change. The fuse blew, and after replacing, 3 of the 5 lights on the door entry pad do not work.
Here is my working theory:
1) brake service accelerated the brake fluid flow from the speed control deactivation switch to ecu/hcu.
2) electric system started going flaky - brake light comes on when AND interior fuse blew.

Why I think the interior light circuit is related is that the timing of the blown fuse and the three lights that are still out in the entry pad. This indicates to me that there could have been a surge of somekind, not just a worn out fuse.