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1999 Ford Expedition brake light after fall from jack


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Jamoyer
New User

Dec 1, 2020, 11:00 AM

Post #1 of 8 (1174 views)
1999 Ford Expedition brake light after fall from jack Sign In

Car: 1999 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer, 5.4 L V8, 146,000 miles


I am hoping someone can tell me where to start with diagnosing an issue safely. My passenger side rear tire got a nail and went flat, and I had to change my tire in the middle of a storm with high winds because I'm an idiot, and of course, the car fell off the jack. No one got hurt, it appeared to just dent the dust shield but everything else looked ok. I bent the dust shield back into place and put the new tire on. Except now, the brake light is on. Brake fluid has not leaked.

Full disclosure, I have not attempted to actually use the brakes because it's surrounded by other cars in a one lane alley. Is there any way to test the brake function without moving the car first? If not, is there any precautions I should take to keep the car from rolling into anything if the brakes completely fail? Is there something in particular I should be looking for back there like an emergency brake assembly? I'll be buying a better jack before attempting this. I lost my job due to covid so I'm trying to fix it myself, but I don't even know where to begin. Help?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Dec 1, 2020, 2:33 PM

Post #2 of 8 (1145 views)
Re: 1999 Ford Expedition brake light after fall from jack Sign In

? You mean a "warning light" don't you ? The thing went down perhaps dirt or what? OK, so it happened without a wheel on it, bent backing plate is also possible for wires held by those? Look again?


You have at least 4 wheel anti-lock brakes, more wires not sure if these are at each wheel or one for a differential I call "RABS" for "Rear Antilock Brake System" is usually more away from wheel/brake itself think pickups more than this, a passenger vehicle.
Go back and look at what muck or wire, might be involved. There should be some kind of star wheel too.
That if loused up give you a yellow warning light if yours is read either parking brake is on, doesn't return all the way now or damaged there's a physical cable going there. Take it off and look is the deal. Have a helper so you can watch things move slightly and release trying to turn wheel do block the others so it can't fall down again or roll away on you let us know what you find if any perhaps one of us some ideas to clean, bend back something or take on repair of a parking cable.


A lot depends on if this is a warning light RED or YELLOW for what you should be looking for,


T



Jamoyer
New User

Dec 1, 2020, 2:49 PM

Post #3 of 8 (1141 views)
Re: 1999 Ford Expedition brake light after fall from jack Sign In

Thank you for replying! It's a red light that just says BRAKE, the same one that comes on with the emergency brake, but it won't go off when the emergency brake was released. So the wiring for the e brake is near there? It fell onto a concrete sidewalk, and then sat that way for about twenty minutes because the jack was stuck underneath and I needed to go borrow one from someone else. I didn't see any damage other than the dust shield, but it's very possible I just didn't know what I was looking for. I will get under there in the morning and see what I can figure out. Thank you again!


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Dec 1, 2020, 3:57 PM

Post #4 of 8 (1134 views)
Re: 1999 Ford Expedition brake light after fall from jack Sign In

That RED light should be for BOTH a fluid problem which you ruled out.
Here's the chance of a snag you still have to try to look I know you don't have a way to get the whole thing up watch and spin wheels.


It's highly possible to pinch a parking brake casing with cable inside or how it's done what is exposed that could be bent or squished? Most will apply the brake but you are not sure if fully released - yet. I'd be looking for that if cable is exposed pull on it and watch if it's stuck.
IF so seems you have time it's possible for some to make your own! Sorry that I'm not sure what basic set up was used truck's in particular could be different on optional things ordered for this when new so I plead it's hard to know for sure the exact way it's done,


T
PS: If a pedal try holding release and pull UP on the pedal. Most that's where the switch is that turns on light when even a smidge applied + can't return all the way><



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Dec 1, 2020, 4:44 PM

Post #5 of 8 (1126 views)
Re: 1999 Ford Expedition brake light after fall from jack Sign In

Make sure the brake fluid isn't real low. That will put that light on also.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Dec 2, 2020, 1:31 PM

Post #6 of 8 (1100 views)
Re: 1999 Ford Expedition brake light after fall from jack Sign In

Out of the box reason - like me!


It was older than '99 Fords (a stronger suit for me) had a "proportioning" valve with a red rubber button you pushed to center it again or if bleeding a system.


That set off a light if there was an imbalance of pressures locking off front or rear in case of a failure. It usually didn't need to be touched ever and self centered but if it has this follow brake lines from master to ABS and on. Just push it if found and light should go out?? Wild guess this Ford attempt to compete with Suburbans still used that thing??


T



Jamoyer
New User

Dec 2, 2020, 2:15 PM

Post #7 of 8 (1096 views)
Re: 1999 Ford Expedition brake light after fall from jack Sign In

Thanks everyone for the info! It looks like the simplest solution was thankfully the right one, the emergency brake wasn't completely releasing. once I pulled out of the space and moved around a little, and tried again, it went off.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Dec 2, 2020, 2:59 PM

Post #8 of 8 (1091 views)
Re: 1999 Ford Expedition brake light after fall from jack Sign In

Spot on!


Now, find out why those are cables in hard casings in area that need to be. Age and rust where I am do that all the time without your situation.
Just really think out if replacing one OE or a good cloned POS that it's adjusted right. That isn't so easy + not writing 10 pages on how to do it!
I will if that ends up your next issue to end this problem till the thing croaks for some other reason,
Tom







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