Odd ABS Light Problem
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Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 27
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From: SW Virginia
Odd ABS Light Problem
A few weeks ago I noticed that my ABS and E-brake light were on after the dashboard diagnostics were finished. I turned the truck off and then back on and the lights went out.
Over the last couple of weeks the lights have been on and off randomly. There is no rhyme or reason as to why they would turn on when they do. It is a completely random occurance. Sometimes they will be on for about 5 miles of driving then shut off. Sometimes I can drive 20 miles and they never go off. And then sometimes I can drive 20 miles and they never turn on. I just recently (6 months ago) had all of the pads and rotors replaced, so I don't think that they are the problem.
After reading through 5 pages of ABS light problems I figured it is most likely a sensor but I wanted to see if anyone thought anything else of it before I spend much money getting it looked at. (I refuse to do my own brake work, I guess its a subconscious safety thing).
1988 F-150 Custom
300 Inline 6
5 Speed
RABS
4x4
Over the last couple of weeks the lights have been on and off randomly. There is no rhyme or reason as to why they would turn on when they do. It is a completely random occurance. Sometimes they will be on for about 5 miles of driving then shut off. Sometimes I can drive 20 miles and they never go off. And then sometimes I can drive 20 miles and they never turn on. I just recently (6 months ago) had all of the pads and rotors replaced, so I don't think that they are the problem.
After reading through 5 pages of ABS light problems I figured it is most likely a sensor but I wanted to see if anyone thought anything else of it before I spend much money getting it looked at. (I refuse to do my own brake work, I guess its a subconscious safety thing).
1988 F-150 Custom
300 Inline 6
5 Speed
RABS
4x4
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,155
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From: Indiana
on my Dad's 1985 F150 the E-brake light would come on because the E-brake pedal got loose. We "fixed" it by using a small wire to hold up the E-Brake (we never used it anyway).
Since both your lights are on, this probably isn't it. But it wouldn't hurt to check.
thats the best I got
good luck
Since both your lights are on, this probably isn't it. But it wouldn't hurt to check.
thats the best I got
good luck
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 108
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From: upstate NY
Could be two issues, might be one. What kind of work was done in the dash prior to the concern appearing? Would it seem the repair and mil lites are related? Prolly best to have it looked at by someone who can use and read a scanner. I believe an '88 truck will not store abs codes, so the lite needs to be on for you to retrieve a code. GL
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Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 27
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From: SW Virginia
Ha, I feel stupid. Turns out there wasn't enough brake fluid. The level was in between the min and max levels, but closer to the min. So, I added a little fluid just for kicks and I haven't seen the lights come on yet.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,155
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From: Indiana
that'll happen.
the sloshing will cause the float to bounce and the light to come on. Newer vehicles have a time-out programmed in that only turns the light on if the FLI is activated for longer than 10-15 seconds. This helps avoid unnecessary light-on conditions when you go around corners, brake hard, etc.
Be sure to watch your fluid level next time you change your brake pads - as you push the wheel calipers back in you might overflow the reservoir.
the sloshing will cause the float to bounce and the light to come on. Newer vehicles have a time-out programmed in that only turns the light on if the FLI is activated for longer than 10-15 seconds. This helps avoid unnecessary light-on conditions when you go around corners, brake hard, etc.
Be sure to watch your fluid level next time you change your brake pads - as you push the wheel calipers back in you might overflow the reservoir.
