Random dash brake light

[dokaman]

Hello again,

I have had a random dash brake light on my van for a while now. It is the red parking brake light. No consistent reason it pops on or off. Sometimes it even fades on or off. This happened the day I bought it over three years ago and has come and gone ever since. The van was totally stock and 2wd back then.

When the light pops on, the cruise control also shuts off.

2001 E350 7.3L
Quadvan 4wd (two weeks old)
both axles replaced
all new sensors
new master cylinder
new vacuum pump

I have pulled the parking brake switch
disconnected master cylinder sensor

I feel like I am running out of things that it could be....

Maybe the cluster?

Any other ideas?

[carringb]

Fluid level isn’t low? If it is, it’ll come on initially when braking or cornering hard, or pointed downhill.

Or if it’s totally random your parking brake might not be returning all the way. Try pulling the handle and lifting up on the pedal and secure it with a zip tie.

[dokaman]

Originally Posted by carringb

Fluid level isn’t low? If it is, it’ll come on initially when braking or cornering hard, or pointed downhill.

Or if it’s totally random your parking brake might not be returning all the way. Try pulling the handle and lifting up on the pedal and secure it with a zip tie.

Fluid level is correct with a new reservoir and sensor. I have also tried the parking brake test along with unplugging the parking brake switch all together.

[gahamby]

You might have a ground lifting under the dash. If that happens to one of the problem circuits it might go looking for ground through the other.

[dokaman]

Originally Posted by gahamby

You might have a ground lifting under the dash. If that happens to one of the problem circuits it might go looking for ground through the other.

I will take a look around at those grounds. Thanks

[patrick]

I had this happen for years with my 2000 7.3, and brought my van in multiple times to have this looked at. I wasn't worried about the brakes failing or anything, just hated the cruise control kicking off unexpectedly. Anyways, in my case, it finally failed at the shop as they were pulling my van around for me after yet another case of failing to reproduce the problem. While the light was on they were able to read a code flagging a bad front ABS sensor. Replaced the sensor. Problem never came back. May or may not be the issue for you, but could be worth checking out.

[dokaman]

Originally Posted by patrick

I had this happen for years with my 2000 7.3, and brought my van in multiple times to have this looked at. I wasn't worried about the brakes failing or anything, just hated the cruise control kicking off unexpectedly. Anyways, in my case, it finally failed at the shop as they were pulling my van around for me after yet another case of failing to reproduce the problem. While the light was on they were able to read a code flagging a bad front ABS sensor. Replaced the sensor. Problem never came back. May or may not be the issue for you, but could be worth checking out.

This really seems like a match for my symptoms. I do however have new abs sensors up front, only a few weeks old. I will however inspect the harnesses closely heading to those sensors. Maybe even a bad pin in the plugs themself.

Thanks for all the ideas.

[HIGHCOUNTRYMIKE]

My 2003 SMB E350 4X4 7.3 is having the entire emergency brake system replaced. The Ford tech recommended that switch be switched out....they Fail.
HighCountry 2003 E350 EB 4X4 7.3 SMB +290,000