Brake light on my dash coming on and off

[los]

The brake light on my dash keeps coming on and off.... Stayed on for about 30 min today and then turned off... Then when I hit the brakes it comes on and cuts off when I let off... I havnt had any work done to my marauder and it has 45,000 miles on it... Does anyone know what this is

[SC Cheesehead]

The brake light on my dash keeps coming on and off.... Stayed on for about 30 min today and then turned off... Then when I hit the brakes it comes on and cuts off when I let off... I havnt had any work done to my marauder and it has 45,000 miles on it... Does anyone know what this is


Have you checked your brake fluid level?

[ctrlraven]

First thing to do is check your brake fluid level, if it's too low it can cause it to happen.

[fastblackmerc]

What they said.....

[RF Overlord]

Had this happen to Phoebe...brake fluid was only a little low, but it doesn't take much to trigger the light...topped it off to the MAX fill line and problem solved.

[SC Cheesehead]

Also, with 45K on the clock, wouldn't be a bad idea to do a brake system flush and replace with new fluid.

[los]

Oh ok .... Thank y'all for responding ..... Im going to check that out once I get back home... Im hoping it's that simple..

[EMAS]

Don't add fluid!! It's time for new brake pads. Ford carefully sized the reservoirs so the level drops to the point the brake warning light comes on when the pads have worn to the point where they are due for replacement.

[BlueMarauder]

Check master brake cylinder. Fluid level can show okay even though the master brake cylinder has a problem.

[fastblackmerc]

Don't add fluid!! It's time for new brake pads. Ford carefully sized the reservoirs so the level drops to the point the brake warning light comes on when the pads have worn to the point where they are due for replacement.

Not necessarily...

[SC Cheesehead]

Not necessarily...


^^^^^^ What he said ^^^^^^

[EMAS]

Yes necessarily, while it is true that a master cyl that is failing can cause that light to illuminate you will notice increased pedal travel and reduced stopping performance before that occurs. It will also be seen as uneven wear from side to side, IE the LF and RR or RF and LR pads will wear quicker, thanks to the diagonal split braking system. Seen it waaaay to many times. A leak could also be to blame for certain, however that will rapidly progress to a light that is always on and a low brake pedal.

However the OP's listed symptoms are consistent with a pattern I've seen over and over again. Which is the pads are worn to the point that caused the fluid level to drop to the point where it activates the light when stopping or on steep hills.

Recommending the addition of fluid is just irresponsible. The fluid level went down for a reason, so that reason should be investigated. The vast majority of the time it is just due to pads that need replacement, but if it isn't there could be bigger problems later as it progresses.

In normal operation there should be no need to add brake fluid. The cap should never even come off the reservoir. It is one of the many reasons I hate Monkey Lube places. Way to often they add brake fluid as a "courtesy" to their customers when in fact they are doing them a disservice by defeating the low pad warning built into the Ford system. Ford has been doing it that way for a long long time doing away with the tell-tale scrapers and avoiding a pad mounted sensor.

[SC Cheesehead]

Yes necessarily, while it is true that a master cyl that is failing can cause that light to illuminate you will notice increased pedal travel and reduced stopping performance before that occurs. It will also be seen as uneven wear from side to side, IE the LF and RR or RF and LR pads will wear quicker, thanks to the diagonal split braking system. Seen it waaaay to many times. A leak could also be to blame for certain, however that will rapidly progress to a light that is always on and a low brake pedal.

However the OP's listed symptoms are consistent with a pattern I've seen over and over again. Which is the pads are worn to the point that caused the fluid level to drop to the point where it activates the light when stopping or on steep hills.

Recommending the addition of fluid is just irresponsible. The fluid level went down for a reason, so that reason should be investigated. The vast majority of the time it is just due to pads that need replacement, but if it isn't there could be bigger problems later as it progresses.

In normal operation there should be no need to add brake fluid. The cap should never even come off the reservoir. It is one of the many reasons I hate Monkey Lube places. Way to often they add brake fluid as a "courtesy" to their customers when in fact they are doing them a disservice by defeating the low pad warning built into the Ford system. Ford has been doing it that way for a long long time doing away with the tell-tale scrapers and avoiding a pad mounted sensor.


Sorry, next time we'll refer all queries exclusively to you, Mr. Answer Man, as your vast knowledge (not to mention time spent on this board) obviously exceeds any that we may have...:rolleyes:

[gdsqdcr]

Yeah ... Never add brake fluid cause it is irresponsible.

Sorry, not buying your statement EMAS.

[los]

Looks like I will be getting my brakes checked very soon then! If this ends up being the brakes, how much am I looking at for this car??

[fastblackmerc]

Looks like I will be getting my brakes checked very soon then! If this ends up being the brakes, how much am I looking at for this car??

If it is brakes it depends on what is wrong, how much the labor rate is in your area etc.

[fastblackmerc]

Yeah ... Never add brake fluid cause it is irresponsible.

Sorry, not buying your statement EMAS.

From the owners manual:

Page 204

"4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this range.

5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.

The fluid level will drop slowly as the brakes wear, and will rise when the brake components are replaced. Fluid levels below the “MAX” line that do not trigger the brake system warning lamp are within the normal operating range, there is no need to add fluid. If the fluid levels are outside of the normal operating range, the performance of your brake system could be compromised, seek service from your dealer immediately."

[fastblackmerc]

Also found this:

Notice it's from a Ford website...........

http://www.flmowner.com/servlet/ContentServer?cid=109749747374 4&pagename=Owner%2FPage%2FArticl eDetail&recid=1233241535014&parentheadlineimageid=12336791 93749&parentrightrecid=1239636411265

Also some good info... it's from 2002 though.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/procut02.htm

[SC Cheesehead]

From the owners manual:

Page 204

"4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this range.

5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.

The fluid level will drop slowly as the brakes wear, and will rise when the brake components are replaced. Fluid levels below the “MAX” line that do not trigger the brake system warning lamp are within the normal operating range, there is no need to add fluid. If the fluid levels are outside of the normal operating range, the performance of your brake system could be compromised, seek service from your dealer immediately."


Also found this:

Notice it's from a Ford website...........

http://www.flmowner.com/servlet/ContentServer?cid=109749747374 4&pagename=Owner%2FPage%2FArticl eDetail&recid=1233241535014&parentheadlineimageid=12336791 93749&parentrightrecid=1239636411265

^^^^^^^ Jim, how COULD you! ^^^^^^^

Posting those replies up is UTTERLY irresponsible... :rolleyes:

[gdsqdcr]

From the owners manual:

Page 204

"4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this range.

5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.

The fluid level will drop slowly as the brakes wear, and will rise when the brake components are replaced. Fluid levels below the “MAX” line that do not trigger the brake system warning lamp are within the normal operating range, there is no need to add fluid. If the fluid levels are outside of the normal operating range, the performance of your brake system could be compromised, seek service from your dealer immediately."

I was being sarcastic Trust me I know that you need to add fluid in small amounts. :beer:

This is espicially important if you have boiled out your fluid on a track :D ... What can I say, it was a fun day.

[fastblackmerc]

I was being sarcastic Trust me I know that you need to add fluid in small amounts. :beer:

This is espicially important if you have boiled out your fluid on a track :D ... What can I say, it was a fun day.

I quoted you by mistake :beer: and raise you :beer:

[SC Cheesehead]

I quoted you by mistake :beer: and raise you :beer:

^^^^^^ MORE irresponsibility! ^^^^^^^

No soup for you!

[RF Overlord]

los, you can check the brake pads yourself. Just pull off a wheel and see if there's at least 1/8" of lining left. Verify that both the inner and outer pad are the same thickness, and that the pads on the driver's and passenger's sides are the same.

If they are all the same, just worn down, you can do the job yourself in an hour for under $100 for everything. A shop will cost you $250-300 easy.

[los]

Thanks.... Gotta an appointment at the dealership for Monday ...they said they check it out for me for no charge.... Definatly can't wait to for sure.... Also I checked my brake fluid when I got home and it's like at the halfway mark... Should I add fluid before driving or will it be fine until Monday... I'm not driving much by the way

[Got_1]

leave it. the dealership will take care of it

[EMAS]

If you have the stock wheels you can do a visual check of the outer pad thickness by looking between the spokes. With an inspection mirror you can check the inner too.

As noted in the links you guys provided Ford specifically recommends not to add fluid if it is between the min and max. They also say "to contact your local FLM dealership to have your brakes inspected as soon as possible", after you add brake fluid. Finally Ford states, "If the fluid is depleted it is usually a sign of a larger problem".

So "just adding brake fluid" and forgetting about it is not the thing to do. In the best case scenario you just end up messing up a rotor or 2, worst case the leak goes from small to big in a hurry and you end up with only 1/2 your brakes working.

[los]

Ok... Ima just leave to the dealership for Monday..lol... I don't want bigger problems than what I already might have... Seems to be the best thing to do

[boatmangc]

Check out myth #6
http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_warped_brakedisk.shtml

Not that I'm saying it is gospel, I check my brake fluid regularly just like all of the other vital fluids in my vehicles. If I notice I need to add fluid I then begin investigating where it is going.
In reality if you live in a high humidity area like me your level never really goes down unless something is compromised. Brake fluid by it's nature absorbs moisture from the atmosphere so you end up with more fluid, hiding the loss as the pads wear.

Thus the need for periodic flushing of the brakes to prevent corrosion which translates to sticking calipers or cylinders as well as rusted brake lines etc.

If you are comfortable with the mechanics of your brakes, top em off, check your pads, look for leaks and if it all looks good go enjoy your car.
If you are not, get a mechanic to check them out.

Check your owners manual for brake system flushing intervals. It is more often than you think.

[SC Cheesehead]

If you have the stock wheels you can do a visual check of the outer pad thickness by looking between the spokes. With an inspection mirror you can check the inner too.

As noted in the links you guys provided Ford specifically recommends not to add fluid if it is between the min and max. They also say "to contact your local FLM dealership to have your brakes inspected as soon as possible", after you add brake fluid. Finally Ford states, "If the fluid is depleted it is usually a sign of a larger problem".

So "just adding brake fluid" and forgetting about it is not the thing to do. In the best case scenario you just end up messing up a rotor or 2, worst case the leak goes from small to big in a hurry and you end up with only 1/2 your brakes working.


Who says we were suggesting add brake fluid and then just forgetting about it?

[fastblackmerc]

Who says we were suggesting add brake fluid and then just forgetting about it?

I wasn't suggesting that ... were you?

[SC Cheesehead]

I wasn't suggesting that ... were you?

Nope, sounds like a case of ASS-U-ME to me... :rolleyes:

[EMAS]

Over in this thread about rotors http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?p=965987#post96 5987 boatmangc posted a link to great info from Stop Tech, note myth #6 http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_warped_brakedisk.shtml

[los]

Dealership just called and said my car is ready.. Lol... They said I just needed brake fluid added ..... They added fluid and an oil change.. Was happy to hear that... Thanks for your help.... Better safe than sorry so it was worth having everything checked.. Even I though I only get to drive the car once a month

[Zack]

This thread failed on an epic scale.

[SC Cheesehead]

Dealership just called and said my car is ready.. Lol... They said I just needed brake fluid added ..... They added fluid and an oil change.. Was happy to hear that... Thanks for your help.... Better safe than sorry so it was worth having everything checked.. Even I though I only get to drive the car once a month


This thread failed on an epic scale.


^^^^^^^ +1 ^^^^^^^^^

I think replies #1, 2, & 3 to the OP hinted at that... ;)

[fastblackmerc]

^^^^^^^ +1 ^^^^^^^^^

I think replies #1, 2, & 3 to the OP hinted at that... ;)

AMAZING!!!

Those highly trained Ford technicians said it just needed brake fluid......

Simply AMAZING!!!!!!!!

[SID210SA]

The brake light on my dash keeps coming on and off.... Stayed on for about 30 min today and then turned off... Then when I hit the brakes it comes on and cuts off when I let off... I havnt had any work done to my marauder and it has 45,000 miles on it... Does anyone know what this is

You should still have well over half your pad life left.....some have gone 120K here before a brake job, so you have plenty of time to save up for new brakes. I just changed mine at 99500. Just FYI

[los]

Wow... Almost a 100k and just having to get brakes.. Got a love that... I actually had the money ready for them if that's what they would have told me I needed..Guess It's time for me to get my other car checked out...it's having minor problems

[SC Cheesehead]

AMAZING!!!

Those highly trained Ford technicians said it just needed brake fluid......

Simply AMAZING!!!!!!!!


No, it's not...;)


...Recommending the addition of fluid is just irresponsible... In normal operation there should be no need to add brake fluid. The cap should never even come off the reservoir.

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